Profiles and experiences of women undergoing genital fistula repair: findings from five countries.
This article presents data from 1354 women from five countries who participated in a prospective cohort study conducted between 2007 and 2010. Women undergoing surgery for fistula repair were interviewed at the time of admission, discharge, and at a 3-month follow-up visit. While women's experiences differed across countries, a similar picture emerges across countries: women married young, most were married at the time of admission, had little education, and for many, the fistula occurred after the first pregnancy. Median age at the time of fistula occurrence was 20.0 years (interquartile range 17.3-26.8). Half of the women attended some antenatal care (ANC); among those who attended ANC, less than 50% recalled being told about signs of pregnancy complications. At follow-up, most women (even those who were not dry) reported improvements in many aspects of social life, however, reported improvements varied by repair outcome. Prevention and treatment programmes need to recognise the supportive role that husbands, partners, and families play as women prepare for safe delivery. Effective treatment and support programmes are needed for women who remain incontinent after surgery.
a EngenderHealth , New York , NY , USA.
Evelyn
E
Landry
Vera
V
Frajzyngier
Joseph
J
Ruminjo
Frank
F
Asiimwe
Thierno Hamidou
TH
Barry
Abubakar
A
Bello
Dantani
D
Danladi
Sanda Oumarou
SO
Ganda
Sa'ad
S
Idris
Maman
M
Inoussa
Bashir
B
Kanoma
Maura
M
Lynch
Felicity
F
Mussell
Dulal Chandra
DC
Podder
Abba
A
Wali
Erin
E
Mielke
Mark A
MA
Barone
D000328:Adult; D001459:Bangladesh; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016701:Guinea; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009548:Niger; D009549:Nigeria; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D014454:Uganda