[Socio-demographic factors and the treatment of obstetric fistula in southeastern Senegal].
The objective of this study was to examine the socio-demographic profile and<np pagenum="048"/> treatment of women suffering from obstetric fistula (OF) in southeastern Senegal. Conducted between August 2007 and January 2008, the study focused on women treated in regional hospitals in Tambacounda and Kolda. The data were collected using questionnaire-based interviews and analyzed using the Epi Info 3.3.1 software package. The patients (mean age of occurrence of OF: 24) were mostly from rural areas (86%), illiterate (89%), and excised (93%). The main cause of the condition cited by the participants was long working hours (42%). The study found that the participants were more likely to have no income-generating activity (84% compared to 22%) and to be divorced (19% compared to 2%) after (as opposed to before) the OF. The study also highlighted the prevalence of psychological disorders (62%), withdrawal (22%), abandonment by friends and/or family (16%) or by the husband (7%), and decreased effectiveness in household chores (4%). The average time between the occurrence of OF and the first consultation was 50.7 (± 55.3) months. The study found that 44% of the participants were waiting for an operation, 35% had undergone unsuccessful surgery, 14% had been treated and cured, 6% had recently undergone surgery, and 1% had suffered a recurrence. Good access to services was found to be necessary for effective treatment, although high-quality obstetric care and increased awareness were identified as the most important factors for the prevention of OF in southeastern Senegal.
Mamadou Makhtar Mbacké
MM
Leye
Papa
P
Ndiaye
Mayassine
M
Diongue
Khadim
K
Niang
Ndeye Astou
NA
Badiane
Adama
A
Faye
Ibrahima
I
Seck
Maty Diagne
MD
Camara
Anta
A
Tal-Dia
D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012675:Senegal; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires