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Vesico‐vaginal fistulas in developing countries
Author(s) -
Hilton P
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/s0020-7292(03)00222-4
Subject(s) - medicine , developing country , obstructed labour , government (linguistics) , incidence (geometry) , public health , fistula , vesicovaginal fistula , developed country , economic growth , environmental health , surgery , nursing , pregnancy , economics , population , linguistics , philosophy , physics , optics , biology , caesarean section , genetics
Vesico‐vaginal fistula remains a major public health issue in the developing world. Over 80% of cases result from neglected obstructed labour, and the condition may follow 1–2 per 1000 deliveries, with an annual worldwide incidence of up to 500 000 cases. The principles of investigation and treatment are reviewed in this paper, although national and international strategies aimed at prevention are much more important to the ultimate eradication of this devastating condition. Such strategies much include government recognition of fistulae as a major public health concern, improvement in the status of women in society, the extension of primary education particularly for girls, and affordable, accessible and acceptable services for all pregnant women.