title: Lived experiences of Ghanaian women with obstetric fistula.
abstract: Obstetric fistula is a worldwide problem that is devastating for women. This qualitative descriptive study explores the experiences of Ghanaian women who sustained obstetric fistula during childbirth. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 participants. The resultant themes include cultural beliefs and practices surrounding prolonged labor in childbirth, barriers to delivering at a health care facility, and the challenges of living with obstetric fistula, including psychosocial, socioeconomic, physical, and health care access issues. Recommendations include strategies to address this complex problem, including education of men and women on safe motherhood practices, training of traditional birth attendants (TBAs), and improving access to health care.
authors: School of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
authors: Prudence P
authors: PP
authors: Mwini-Nyaledzigbor
authors: Alice A
authors: AA
authors: Agana
authors: F Beryl
authors: FB
authors: Pilkington
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012752:Shame; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology; D014719:Vesicovaginal Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*