ECONOMIC FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OCCURRENCE OF VESICO VAGINAL
FISTULA
Economic Factors
Poverty
WHO (2004) reports that women suffering from fistulae come exclusively from poor families with
subsistence farming background. In Afghanistan majority of women with fistula reported their household
average monthly income, to be less than 1 dollar equal. Due to poverty, it is difficult for the women to
seek better health care especially in the rural areas.
Social status
Women’s of low status in many communities, often lack the power to choose when to start bearing
children or where to give birth (UNFPA, 2011). The study findings supported the fact of low status of
women where majority of women with fistula reported that their husband made the decision when they
needed health services. In some communities, the fear of operative delivery may also deter women from
seeking such services, since normal vaginal delivery is seen as the badge of acceptance into womanhood
(UNFPA, 2011).
Conceptual Framework
Conceptual framework is a systematic presentation which identifies the variables that when put together
explain the issue of concern. The conceptual framework is therefore the set of broad ideas used to explain
the relationship between the independent variables (factors) and the dependent variables (outcome).
Sampling procedure
On receiving approval, the researcher visited the nurse in charge of clinic 66 of Kenyatta National
Hospital to inform her of the study. The researcher hired the services of two nurses on placement in the
clinic to assist in data collection. The research assistants were trained on the purpose of the study and how
to carry it out. On the material day the researcher proceeded to the hospital with the questionnaires. The
researcher explained the purpose of the study to the potential participant and on providing consent, the
researcher administered the questionnaire.
Data collection tools
Primary data was obtained directly from the study site through use of structured questionnaire. In this
study a closed and open-ended questions was used to collect data. While the close-ended questions was
guided the respondents’ answers within the choices given, the open-ended ones was useful in obtaining a
more detailed response essentially in cases where the study has no pre-determined options.
Pretesting
A pretest study is a smaller version of a proposed study conducted to develop or refine the methodology
such as the treatment, instrument, or data collection process (Burn & Groove, 2009). Pretesting was done
at Mbagathi District Hospital with VVF who were admitted to the hospital at the time of pretesting. The
hospital was selected because it is a VVF repair centre. Pretesting was done on 10% of the sample
population. Pretesting of the questionnaire was done before administering it to the target population in
order to determine the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. To test reliability of the questionnaire
test-retest technique was used.
Independent Variables
Dependent variable
s
Data analysis on Economic Factors influencing VVF
This section seeks to examine the effect of Economic factors on the prevalence of VVF in Kenya
Demographic Factors
Age
Gender
Parity
Illiteracy
Lack of proper ANC
Marital status
Social-cultural Factors
Early marriages
FGM
Sexual violence
Beliefs and superstitions
Social vices like abortion
Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF)
Economic Factors
Poverty
Social status
4.3.1 Employment Status
The table below shows the employment status of the respondents
Table 4.4 Employment Status
No of members n=118 Percentage
Employed 30 25%
Unemployed 22 19%
Self employed 48 41%
Total 118 100%
The table shows that 25% (n=30) were employed, 19% (n=22) were unemployed while 41% (n=48) were
self-employed.
4.3.2 Husband Employed
The results show whether the respondents’ husband was employed.
Figure 4.6 Husband Employed
68
32
Yes
No
The study shows that 32% were not employed while 68% were employed.
Summary
The study shows that women suffering from fistulae come exclusively from poor families with
subsistence farming background. These findings agree with WHO (2004) that In Afghanistan majority of
women with fistula reported their household average monthly income, to be less than 1 dollar equal. Due
to poverty, it is difficult for the women to seek better health care especially in the rural areas.
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