SOCIAL-WORK-PRACTICE WITH CHILDBIRTH-INJURED WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Nigerian social workers in health care settings have been actively inv olved in the treatment of women in northern Nigeria who suffer from ch ildbirth injury during obstructed labor. The patient population studie d suffers from vesicovaginal fistula (VVF), a debilitating and chronic condition whereby a woman leaks urine uncontrollably and experiences grave social consequences. Crisis intervention, social rehabilitation, fighting stigma, and discharge planning similar to the American profe ssional model were functions of the social workers in addressing the n eeds of this patient population. Implications for practice and the uni versality of social work skills are discussed.