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Pilot study utilizing a patient educational brochure at a vesicovaginal fistula hospital in Nigeria, Africa

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Abstract

This paper presents a pilot study exploring the utility and feasibility of use of a vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) patient educational brochure. Women awaiting or recently having undergone VVF surgery examined a six-paneled educational brochure detailing the causes, treatment options, and prevention methods of VVF. Participants answered demographic questions and gave detailed responses to a questionnaire that addressed the brochure material. A convenience sample of 50 patients, with a mean age of 26.1 years, participated. Universally, these women felt that the information they learned from the brochure was useful. Suggestions by participants regarding prevention of VVF included laboring in a hospital (80%), educating other women (30%), and discouraging early marriage (8%). Primary barriers to prevention and treatment included financial restraints (84%) and transportation difficulties (30%). The utilization of a simple, low-cost educational brochure has the ability to educate women on the causes, treatment, and prevention of VVF.

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Acknowledgments

Julani Ibrahim and Saanatu Bitrus Sarma: language translation assistance.

Conflicts of interest

None.

Funding

Partially funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIDDK (DK068389) to HER.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Women’s Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Kimberly A. Gerten, Sheila Venkatesh & Holly E. Richter

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA

    Andy M. Norman

  3. Evangel Hospital, Jos, Nigeria

    Joy Shu’Aibu

  4. 6490 Excelsior Blvd, Suite E111, St. Louis Park, MN, 55426, USA

    Kimberly A. Gerten

Authors
  1. Kimberly A. Gerten
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  2. Sheila Venkatesh
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  3. Andy M. Norman
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  4. Joy Shu’Aibu
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  5. Holly E. Richter
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kimberly A. Gerten.

Additional information

Oral presentation Annual Meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons, Savannah, GA, April 14–16, 2008.

Partially funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, DK068389 to H.E.R.

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Gerten, K.A., Venkatesh, S., Norman, A.M. et al. Pilot study utilizing a patient educational brochure at a vesicovaginal fistula hospital in Nigeria, Africa. Int Urogynecol J 20, 33–37 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-008-0720-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-008-0720-x

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