Abstract
The impact of obstetric vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), which continues to occur among women in developing countries, can severely affect the health of the women while the condition persists. This study was designed to discover the effect of successful VVF repair on affected women's quality of life. A comparison of the quality of life of a cross-section of women who had VVF was carried out before and 6 months after successful repair. Quality of life was assessed using the WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF Questionnaire. Of the 150 women studied, only 20% felt satisfied with their general state of health and quality of life before the repair, while this increased to 90% following successful repair (highly statistically significant at p<0.000). In the physical health domain, the mean quality of life score was 67.9 ± 4.4 before and 69.3 ± 3.4 after successful repair (p<0.01). In the mental health domain, the mean quality of life score was 32.4 ± 8.7 before and 74.7 ± 3.2 after successful repair (p<0.005). In the social health domain, the mean score was 20.2 ± 2.7 before and 69.7 ± 2.3 after successful repair (p<0.001). In the environment domain, the mean score of quality of life was 60.3 ± 4.3 before repair and 59.7 ± 2.7 after successful repair (comparable at p<0.2). Successful repair of VVF is associated with significant improvement in the multidimensional quality of life among affected women.
Highlights
The impact of obstetric vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), which continues to occur among women in developing countries, can severely affect the health of the women while the condition persists
This study evaluated and compared the quality of life of affected women using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF Questionnaire before and after successful repair
During the 12 months of the study 271 women had their VVF repaired at the Family Health Centre
Summary
The impact of obstetric vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), which continues to occur among women in developing countries, can severely affect the health of the women while the condition persists. The condition is characterized by persistent leakage of urine resulting in perineal wetness, excoriation and pain, and a pervasive urinary odour, which has a severe negative impact on the quality of life of affected women[1,2]. Most of these women develop low self-esteem, depression and may become socially withdrawn[1,2]. She is treated as a social outcast and excommunicated from her community[2]
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