Vaginal fistula is a physical, social and psychological disease of of the vagina. That is our definition if you will accept it.
We say it is a physical disease because when it happens there is actual physical damage to the vagina such that a communicating opening develops between the vagina and the urinary bladder or vagina and the rectum or vagina and both rectum and urinary bladder. Depending on which of the three has happened a woman would have faeces coming out through the vagina or urine or both as the case may be.
Now imagine a woman walking around smelling of urine or faeces or both because they are flowing out of her and she can not do anything about it. Urine and or faeces flow out of her vagina with no control. Imagine the social impact. Such women are mistreated by society and it is common for their men to leave them. Now you see why it is a social and psychological disease?
The main cause of is obstructed labour and we see this mainly in girls who get pregnant at a tender age. However, this is not the only cause.
Fortunately, corrective surgery for vaginal fistula is available in Zambia. Prevention is by avoiding obstructed labour and you achieve that we need to ensure equity of access to quality healthcare services for all pregnant women across the country regardless of social class. In addition, women need to be encouraged and empowered to start antenatal early.
(Image by VHenryArt)
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