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Perceived Stigmatization and Its Psychosocial Effects Among Women Living with Vesicovaginal Fistula at VVF Centre, Gesse, Kebbi State, Nigeria
Subject area: Biological & Medical Sciences · Area of research: Nursing Sciences
Abstract
Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is a severe maternal health condition characterized by involuntary continuous leakage of urine through an abnormal opening between the bladder and vagina. Beyond its physical consequences, VVF may result in stigma, social isolation, emotional distress, low self-esteem, and disruption of family and community relationships. This study assessed perceived stigmatization and its psychosocial effects among women living with VVF at VVF Centre, Gesse, Kebbi State. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted. The target population comprised 64 women living with VVF and receiving care at the centre, from which 55 respondents were selected using Taro Yamane’s formula and convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics with SPSS version 27. The instrument had a test-retest reliability coefficient of 0.90. Findings showed high perceived stigmatization (grand mean = 3.18), high psychological effects (grand mean = 3.16), and substantial social effects (grand mean = 3.22). The study concludes that women living with VVF experience important psychological and social consequences in addition to physical effects. VVF care should therefore incorporate psychosocial assessment, counselling, family education, peer support and social reintegration before and after surgical treatment.
Keywords
vesicovaginal fistula, perceived stigmatization, psychological effects, social effects, psychosocial wellbeing.
References
[1] World Health Organization, Obstetric fistula. World Health Organization, 2023.
[2] L. L. Wall, “Overcoming phase 1 delays: The critical component of obstetric fistula prevention programs in resource-poor countries,” BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, vol. 12, Art. no. 68, 2012. PubMed
[3] I. R. Nduka, N. Ali, I. Kabasinguzi, and D. Abdy, “The psycho-social impact of obstetric fistula and available support for women residing in Nigeria: A systematic review,” BMC Women’s Health, vol. 23, Art. no. 87, 2023. Springer
[4] S. B. Bature, A. Mohammed, and M. Abdullahi, “Socio-cultural determinants and psychosocial consequences of vesicovaginal fistula among women in Northern Nigeria,” African Journal of Reproductive Health, vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 78–87, 2023.
[5] L. O. Amazue, J. E. Eze, N. F. Essien, E. E. Nnadozie, and D. U. Onu, “Health disclosure mediates the stigma- psychological well-being link among vesico-vaginal fistula patients,” Psychology, Health & Medicine, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 336–343, 2023. PubMed
[6] I. G. Wali, J. Sani, A. M. Omiya, M. B. Umar, Y. A. Mahuta, A. M. Hantsi, and H. M. Magaji, “Analysis of psychosocial and economic consequences of vesico-vaginal fistula among women in Kebbi State, Nigeria,” FUDMA Journal of Sciences, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 524–529, 2024. FUDMA Journal of Sciences
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[8] I. L. Stangl, V. A. Earnshaw, C. H. Logie, W. van Brakel, L. C. Simbayi, I. Barré, and J. F. Dovidio, “The health stigma and discrimination framework: A global, crosscutting framework to inform research, intervention development, and policy on health-related stigmas,” BMC Medicine, vol. 17, Art. no. 31, 2019. PubMed
[9] United Nations Population Fund, Prevention, treatment, reintegration and advocacy: How UNFPA and partners work to end obstetric fistula. UNFPA, 2023.
How to cite this paper
@article{1723166,
author = {Almustapha L. A., Danjuma Mubarak, Haliru Rilwanu, Isah Mubarak, Abubakar Aliyu Sani},
title = {Perceived Stigmatization and Its Psychosocial Effects Among Women Living with Vesicovaginal Fistula at VVF Centre, Gesse, Kebbi State, Nigeria},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {3},
pages = {3010-3015},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1723166.pdf},
abstract = {Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is a severe maternal health condition characterized by involuntary continuous leakage of urine through an abnormal opening between the bladder and vagina. Beyond its physical consequences, VVF may result in stigma, social isolation, emotional distress, low self-esteem, and disruption of family and community relationships. This study assessed perceived stigmatization and its psychosocial effects among women living with VVF at VVF Centre, Gesse, Kebbi State. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted. The target population comprised 64 women living with VVF and receiving care at the centre, from which 55 respondents were selected using Taro Yamane’s formula and convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics with SPSS version 27. The instrument had a test-retest reliability coefficient of 0.90. Findings showed high perceived stigmatization (grand mean = 3.18), high psychological effects (grand mean = 3.16), and substantial social effects (grand mean = 3.22). The study concludes that women living with VVF experience important psychological and social consequences in addition to physical effects. VVF care should therefore incorporate psychosocial assessment, counselling, family education, peer support and social reintegration before and after surgical treatment.},
keywords = {vesicovaginal fistula, perceived stigmatization, psychological effects, social effects, psychosocial wellbeing.},
month = {September},
}