Contraceptive practice after surgical repair of obstetric fistula in southeast Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the contraceptive practices of women after surgical repair of obstetric fistula and to assess determinants of uptake and the pregnancy rate in the first year.


METHODS
A prospective cohort study enrolled women who had a successful surgical repair of obstetric fistula at a center in Nigeria between 2011 and 2013. Patients were followed up for 1year. Data were obtained through record review and completion of a semi-structured questionnaire.


RESULTS
Among 188 participants, 180 (95.7%) were aware of contraception, but only 70 (37.2%) used contraceptive methods after surgery. The most commonly used methods were the male condom (50 [71.4%] of 70) and hormonal injections (14 [20.0%]). The main reasons for non-use were fear of adverse effects (48 [40.7%] of 118 women), future desire for more children (35 [29.7%]), religious prohibition (26 [22.0%]), cultural beliefs (29 [24.6%]), and partner disapproval (42 [35.6%]). The risk of unplanned pregnancy in the first year was significantly lower among women who used contraceptives than among those who did not (relative risk 0.14, 95% confidence interval 0.02-1.06; P=0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Contraceptive uptake for birth control after fistula repair surgery was low because of socioeconomic reasons, religious and cultural beliefs, and myths, resulting in unplanned pregnancies.
School of Post Graduate Studies, Department of Community Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria. Electronic address: lawkins2020@gmail.com.
Lucky O
LO
Lawani
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria.
Chukwuemeka A
CA
Iyoke
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
Paul O
PO
Ezeonu
D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects; D003469:Culture; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012006:Rectovaginal Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D012067:Religion; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014719:Vesicovaginal Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations
Birth control; Contraceptive practice; Fistula repair; Nigeria; Obstetric fistula; Obstructed labor