Epidemiology of vesico--vaginal fistulae in northern Nigeria.

A comparative study of vesico-vaginal fistulae cases and controls was carried out at two tertiary hospitals in Maiduguri, Nigeria. The fistulae cases were significantly shorter in height, younger in age at marriage and had a higher divorce rate. Prolonged labour, traditional surgical practice of "gishiri cut" and ignorance were identified as the commonest causes of the fistulae. The health and socio-economic consequences to the patient are discussed. Patients are considered to have brought shame to themselves and their families and quite often lose the support of the husband. It is recommended that maternity services be firmly integrated and given a higher priority in primary health care. In the long-term increase in the literacy level of females is desirable.