FACTORS AFFECTING THE UTILIAZATION OF THE VESICO VAGINAL FISTULA (VVF) CENTER IN EBOYI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper examined the factors affecting the utilization of the Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) Center at Abakaliki, Eboyi state. A sample size of 92 respondents was drawn from the VVF center in Abakaliki. The non probability sampling technique was adopted in selecting the samples. Data was collected through the use of questionnaire and in-depth interview (IDI) guide. Findings showed that factors such as illiteracy, cultural belief, distrust in western civilization (medicine), low income, religious beliefs, fear of stigmatization and ignorance about the cause of the disease affect the utilization of the center by victims. The paper then suggests that public lectures should be organized in local dialects to educate the people on the relevance of the VVF center.