Causes Of VVF At A Glance

Unrelieved Obstructed
Labour: In an ideal situation where there are health facilities to prevent obstructed labour, and where pregnancy has been monitored during the course of six months before the onset of labour, the likelihood of obstructed labour is minimised.
* Accidental Surgical Injury Related To Pregnancy, And  Crude Attempt At Induced Abortion: Caesarean sections and difficult forceps deliveries performed within a formal medical establishment, sometimes leave patients with injuries to the bladder.
Traditional Practices: Traditional procedures commonly employed during pregnancy and labour, sometimes result not only to VVF, but also haemorrhage and sepsis. Examples include female genital mutilation (FGM) ‘Gishiri’ and ‘Angurya’ cuts.
Early Marriage: In communities where early marriage is the norm, many girls become pregnant in their early teens before  the pelvis is fully developed. These girls have high risk of obstructed labour and ultimately VVF or maternal death.
* Lack of Education: Lack of education invariably results in poor uptake of antenatal services, where these services are available, girls are often unaware of the importance of its utilization. The dangers of early pregnancy are not often understood by the girl herself, her husband, her family, or even the traditional birth attendant. High risk pregnancies are not therefore identified in time.
* Culture, Tradition Or Poverty: A high percentage of ritual child birth takes place at home, problems occur when complications arise and there is an absence of attendants adequately qualified to identify these complications and seek medical attention in good time.
* Violent Rape: Vaginal fistulas can also be a result of violent rape. This is very common in conflict zones, it is used as a weapon against communities.