Abstract:

Background: Obstetric Vesico-Vaginal Fistula is a reproductive health problem mainly caused by prolonged obstructed labour and delay in seeking emergency obstetric care after delivery. In developing countries such as those in Sub-Saharan Africa, Obstetric Vesico-Vaginal Fistula continues to cause suffering to a number of women and their families. Women with obstetric fistula not only have to endure the negative physical and emotional impacts of the disease but also social and economic impacts which are also negative. Considering the suffering of families associated with this disease, we set out to investigate community awareness of obstetric fistula especially in areas with poor access to social amenities such as informal settlements.

Methods: The design was descriptive cross-sectional, community-based study. The estimated sample of population was 200 participants, above 18 years old live in Nyamagana district, Mwanza Tanzania from August to January 2022. The questionnaire was used to collect data, probability convenience sampling procedure was used for data collection and data analysis was done through IBM SPSS statistics 20 computer program.

Results: A total of 200 were enrolled in a study. The results revealed that 71.0% of participants had low awareness about VVF, also majority of participants had knowledge about VVF whereas 193 (96.5%) had ever heard about VVF and finally majority of participants had positive attitude towards development and patient with VVF.

Conclusion: The findings of this study have shown low awareness levels on VVF in Nyamagana District, Mwanza Tanzania. This may be attributed to inadequate sensitization campaigns to raise community awareness, especially women’s awareness on the presentation, risk factors and prevention of VVF. Also, this study has shown that the participants had positive attitude towards development of VVF. The study further revealed a significant association between attitude and the level of community awareness.