title: Women of the courtyard. A nurse's journey to treat obstetric fistulae in Niger.
abstract: Obstetric fistula is a devastating condition that results from prolonged or unassisted labor. It produces debilitating physical and emotional consequences caused by constant leaking of urine and/or feces. Because high-quality medical care is available throughout the developed world, unrepaired obstetric fistulae are virtually nonexistent in developed nations. However, the condition is rampant in many developing countries, including Niger, a nation in West Africa. This article explains what obstetric fistula is, why it is such a problem, and what nurses and other health care professionals can do to help improve the situation worldwide. It also tells the story of one nurse who went on a volunteer mission to treat obstetric fistulae in Niger, where she met a courtyard full of women she will never forget.
authors.affiliation: Hackensack University Medical Center, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Njoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ng'ang'a
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008493:Medical Missions; D009548:Niger / Q000453:epidemiology; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D011247:Pregnancy; D012006:Rectovaginal Fistula / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012752:Shame; D012945:Social Values; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014719:Vesicovaginal Fistula / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014838:Volunteers / Q000523:psychology*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations; D016387:Women's Health