Health-related quality of life among women in rural Bangladesh after surgical repair of obstetric fistula.
OBJECTIVE
To identify factors influencing health-related quality of life (QOL) among women in Bangladesh after successful surgical repair of obstetric fistula.


METHODS
In 2012, a cross-sectional study was conducted of women who had undergone a successful surgical repair of an obstetric fistula at a hospital in northwest Bangladesh between June 2005 and May 2012. Sociodemographic, obstetric, and fistula-related information was collected by interview. Health-related QOL was assessed using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).


RESULTS
A total of 113 women were included. Linear regression analysis showed that discrimination experiences negatively affected four of the eight scales of SF-36, as well as both the physical and mental component summaries (P<0.05 for all). Married status had a positive effect on four scales and the mental component summary (P<0.05 for all). Age inversely affected two scales and the physical component summary (P<0.01 for all). Internalized stigma negatively influenced two scales (P<0.05 for both). Not having living children and experiencing two or more previous stillbirths negatively influenced one scale (P<0.05 for both).


CONCLUSIONS
Several factors influence health-related QOL after obstetric fistula repair; a comprehensive approach is needed to address these issues.
Department of Community-based Rehabilitation Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan. Electronic address: imotoatsuko@hotmail.co.jp.
Atsuko
A
Imoto
Department of International Health Development, Graduate School of International Health Development, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
Akiko
A
Matsuyama
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, LAMB-Hospital, Integrated Rural Health and Development Project, Dinajpur, Bangladesh.
Beatrice
B
Ambauen-Berger
Department of Community-based Rehabilitation Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
Sumihisa
S
Honda
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001459:Bangladesh; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012006:Rectovaginal Fistula / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D012424:Rural Population; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014719:Vesicovaginal Fistula / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
Bangladesh; Obstetric fistula; Quality of life; Repair surgery