What Is a Vaginal Fistula?

A vaginal fistula is an abnormal opening that connects your vagina to another organ. For example, a vaginal fistula can link your vagina to your:

– Bladder

– Ureters, the tubes that carry your pee from your kidneys to your bladder

– Urethra, the tube that carries your pee down from your bladder and outside your body

– Rectum, the lower part of your large intestine

– Large intestine/small intestine

Vaginal fistulas can be upsetting and embarrassing because they leak and cause bad smells. But they can also cause complications, like:

– Vaginal or urinary tract infections that keep coming back

– Hygiene problems

– Stool or gas that leaks through the vagina

– Irritated or inflamed skin around your vagina or anus

– An abscess – a swollen clump of infected tissue with pus that could be life-threatening if it’s not treated.

– Fistulas that come back

Vesico vaginal fistula has been a health problem of women worldwide. This abnormality is mostly as a result of childbirth, home delivery, early marriage, obstructed labor, unskilled birth attendant, economic and socio-cultural factors to mention but a few. To meet one of these mothers is to be profoundly moved into mourning the still birth of their baby, incontinence of urine, shame of their offensiveness, often spurned by their husbands, homelessness, unemployment, trauma, stigmatization and rejection in the society.

An obstetric fistula is the breakdown of tissue in the vaginal wall extending into the bladder (Vesico Vaginal Fistula V.V.F.) or to the rectum (Recto Vaginal Fistula R.V.F.) or both. It is one of the most degrading morbidities resulting from pregnancy and childbirth. Maternal morbidity as a result of V.V.F. or R.V.F. is particularly high in Nigeria. Out of an estimated 200 cases, 80 percentage occur in Northern Nigeria

The profile of Vesico Vaginal Fistula victims according to Ward, is that of a destitute, illiterate, unemployed, divorced and smelly teenager, who has lost control of her bladder functions, and is constantly wearing rag in between her legs during the day and wetting her bed at night. Therefore, all efforts must be put on ground to eliminate this condition in women – especially in the light of the recognition advocated for women in the present dispensation.

Women reported many psychological consequences of VVF including depression, feelings of shame, and loneliness. Others reported feeling devalued as a woman and wanting to end their lives. Social consequences of fistula reported by these women included rejection from society, isolation, rejection from husband and/or divorce. Almost half of the women reported of having lost their social network and support as a result of the fistula. Women with VVF were deemed unworthy, and their illness was often attributed to some fault of their own.

HOW DO WE PUT AN END TO OR DELAY CHILD MARRIAGE?

Ending child marriage requires work across all sectors and at all levels. It requires us to understand the complex drivers behind the practice in different contexts and adapt interventions accordingly. The following could delay or prevent child marriage:

1) Empower girls with information, skills and support networks.

2) Provide economic support and incentives to girls and their families.

3) Rural awareness and sensitization programmes by Youth Core members, NGOs and the soceity at large.

4) Educate and rally parents and community members.

5) Enhance girls’ access to a high-quality education.

6) Encourage supportive laws and policies. In order for the next generation of development programs to make ending child marriage a priority, policymakers must pay attention to these strategies while continuing to test innovative approaches and evaluation techniques.

7) Supporting young people to be agents of change.