Evaluation of Mineral Status in Patients with Vesico-Vaginal Fistula in Jos, Northern Nigeria

Background: Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) is an abnormal communication between the vaginal and the urinary bladder resulting in continuous and involuntarily leakage of urine per vaginam. This disorder occurs mainly in Sub-Sahara Africa and Asia with major of the cases resulting from early girl child marriage. The mineral status in Patients with Vesico-Vaginal Fistula in Jos, Northern Nigeria was investigated. Material and Methods: The levels of Zn, Cu, Fe, Pb and Mn were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). A total of 97 participants made up of 67 VVF patients and 30 controls undergoing treatments at Evangel Hospital, Jos were involved in the study. Results: Among the studied population, the mean values of the minerals were similar for both the VVF clients and the control group except for Zn where there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between both groups. There were significantly higher (P < 0.05) levels of Zn, Cu, Pb, Fe and Mn in the VVF patients between the ages of < 20, 20 24, 30 34, 45 49 and > 50 years compared to control. Also, there were significant increase (P < 0.05) in the levels of all the minerals in the VVF clients when compared to control at all classes while that of parity showed significant increase (P < 0.05) in the levels of analyzed minerals in the VVF clients when compared to control at para >= 5 and para 1 4. In all, the levels of Zn, Cu, Fe and Pb in both patients were higher than the reference values reported in literature. The higher level of Pb in fistula patients may suggest contamination which may possibly be through water or food. Conclusions: The study also suggests the need for determination of reference values of mineral status among African population.