ABSTRACT

Background: Obstetric fistula is a breach in the birth duct by means of undue labor without appropriate and prone health aid. It is an obstructed labor lacking well-timed health interference, usually caesarean section. This is a condition where the baby always dies during labor. In the condition the woman concern is generally left with internal wound that leaves her leaking urine and waste.

Objectives: The aim and objective is to assess the factors responsible for obstetric fistula among women. To find out the categories of women who suffered more from the disease. To find out ways of preventing occurrences of obstetric fistula.

Design: The research design is descriptive. It will assess the characteristics of women suffering from obstetric fistula. Data in respect of their place of birth, presence of a skilled birth attendant, the duration of labor, mode of delivery, the presence of antennal care, the age at marriage, the age of first delivery.

Settings of research study: This research was carried out in Gambo Sawaba General Hospital (GSGH), Kofan Gaya Zaria city.

Population: The population of this study was 17 which included two doctors, a nurse and 14 women who were registered in GSGH and had obstetric fistula.

Method: With permission from the GSGH, two set of questionnaires were distributed to the patients with obstetric fistula and the other for doctor and a nurse were used. The questionnaires were structured in order to attain general data regarding obstetric fistula. This patient’s survey was used to assess the knowledge of the patients on obstetric fistula.

Result of research study: From the result gotten, lack of adequate ante-natal care contributed to the occurrence of obstetric fistula in Zaria. Also lack of education and the fact that women got married at early ages contributed significantly to the prevalence of obstetric fistula in Zaria and its neighbouring villages.