title: Improving community knowledge of obstetric fistula prevention and treatment.
abstract: In recent years, information has emerged in the scientific literature regarding the experience of physicians and clinical staff who try to prevent and treat obstetric fistulas at health facilities in developing countries. However, little is known about attempts to match the services they provide with policy and programmatic interventions in the communities they serve. To determine what is known about community involvement in the prevention and treatment of obstetric fistulas, the authors inquired into experiments carried out by EngenderHealth and partners in 15 African and Asian countries. From raw data, gray literature, and personal communications with those working in the field, they learned that engaging the community may be the keystone in the eradication of fistulas in low-resource settings, and they learned how to engage the community.
authors.affiliation: Fistula and Safe Motherhood Program, EngenderHealth, New York, NY 10001, USA.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Wegner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ruminjo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pesso
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mehta
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D001208:Asia; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011634:Public Health; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014624:Vaginal Fistula / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy*