Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress 2023 EHA Congress 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

A round-up of the ONWARDS phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the novel weekly insulin icodec in people with diabetes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Women's Health
Published in: BMC Women's Health 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Consequences of obstetric fistula in sub Sahara African countries, from patients’ perspective: a systematic review of qualitative studies

Authors: Debrework Tesgera Bashah, Abebaw Gebeyehu Worku, Mezgebu Yitayal Mengistu

Published in: BMC Women's Health | Issue 1/2018

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Women with fistula live in a state of distress and in fear of their future life. An obstetric fistula has a devastating impact on affected women and their families. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize the evidence from published articles on the consequences of obstetric fistula on women who endure the condition.

Methods

The consequences were systematically reviewed from purely qualitative and mixed method primary studies. The literatures were searched through the search engines Google, Google scholar, Hinari using Pub Med data bases, and citation tracking. Relevant source of publications were searched for primary qualitative studies by formulating search protocol using related search terms. Time (articles published between January first of 2007 and 30th September 2016), participants (women who experienced obstetric fistula due to obstructed labor complications), types of study (purely qualitative and mixed method primary articles), findings (reporting consequences/impacts of obstetric fistula) were used as inclusion criteria. The quality appraisal tool for qualitative studies and the critical appraisal skills program were used to appraise the quality of the studies. The findings of sixteen studies were included in the review. The data were collected and then a thematic framework approach was applied for analysis.

Results

The thematic categories shared across most studies were related to the physical challenges of losing body control, women’s social and family relationships, and the challenges of losing income. Obstetric fistula has far reaching consequences on women’s physical well being, social and marital relationships, mental health and economic capacity. Fistula also challenged women coping abilities.

Conclusion

The consequences of obstetric fistula are far more than the visible medical condition. Little evidence is available on mental health, child and fertility issues, and coping mechanisms. Therefore, further researches shall be aimed at addressing the understudied area and suitable interventions shall be offered to improve women’s overall quality of life.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Capes T, Ascher-Walsh AC, Brodman M. Obstetric fistula in low and middle income countries. Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine: A Journal of Translational and Personalized Medicine. 2011;78(3):352–61.CrossRef
2.
Ryan F. The typical story of obstetric fistula : the need to enhance awareness, action & funds. 2014(17).
3.
4.
Abrams P, Ridder Dd, deVries C, Sohier Elneil, Esegbona G, Mourad S, et al. obstetric fistula in the developing world. ICUD (international consultation on urological Diseases). 2010.
5.
Langkilde N, Pless T, Lundbeck F, Nerstrom B. Surgical repair of vesicovaginal fistulae-a ten-year retrospective study. Scand J Urol Nephrol. 1999;33(2):100–3.CrossRefPubMed
6.
Wall L, Arrowsmith S, Briggs N, Browning A and Lassey A. The obstetric vesicovaginal fistula in developing world. 2004.
7.
Browning A, Patel T. FIGO initiative for the prevention and treatment of vaginal fistula. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2004;86(2):317–22.CrossRefPubMed
8.
Bala S. Birth and sorrow: The psycho-social and medical consequences of Obstetric fistula wwwinternationalscholarsjournalsorg ©. International Scholars Journals. 2014;2(2):055–65.
9.
Almaw TF, Keysers L, Chhachhi A. From Trauma to Rehabilitation and Reintegration: Experiences of Women Facing the Challenges of Obstetric Fistula in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia: November; 2010.
10.
Zhengx A, Frank W, Ander J. Obstatric fistula in low income countries. International journal of gyneacology and obstatrics. 2008;104:85–9.CrossRef
11.
Bangser M, Manisha M, Janet S, Chris D, Catherine K, et al. Childbirth experiences of women with obstetric fistula in Tanzania and Uganda and their implications for fistula program development. Int Urogynecol J. 2011;22:91–8.CrossRefPubMed
12.
Roush KM. Social implications of obstetric fistula: an integrative review. Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health. 2009;54:21–33.CrossRef
13.
Lilian TM, and, Thecla WK. living with constant leaking of urine and odour: thematic analysis of socio-cultural experiences of women affected by obstetric fistula in rural Tanzania. BMC Womens Health 2015;15:107.
14.
15.
Mutambra J, L M, Muchichewa. Towards promotion of maternal health: the psychological impact of obstetric fistula on wumen in Zimbabwe. International journal of Asian social science towards promotion of maternal health. 2013;3(1):229–39.
16.
Janet MT, Khaliah J, Mary LP. Experiences of women seeking medical care for obstetric fistula in Eritrea: implications for prevention, treatment, and social reintegration. Global Public Health: An International Journal for Research, Policy and Practice. 2007;2(1):64–77.CrossRef
17.
Yeakey MP, Chipeta E, Taulo F, Tsui AO. The lived experience of Malawian women with obstetric fistula. Cult Health Sex. 2009;11(5):499–513.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Ahmed S, Genadry R, Stanton C, Lalonde a. Dead women walking: neglected millions with obstetric fistula. Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2007;99(Suppl 1):S1–3.CrossRef
19.
Okoye UO, Emma NE, Perpetual LT. Living with vesico vaginal fistula:experiences of women awaiting repairs in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. Tanzania Journal of Health Research. 2014;16(4):322–8.CrossRefPubMed
20.
Hannes K. Chapter 4: critical appraisal of Qual Res 2011. In: Supplementary Guidance for Inclusion of Qualitative Research in Cochrane Systematic Reviews of Interventions [Internet]. Cochrane Collaboration Qualitative Methods Group.
21.
Muleta M, Hamlin C, Fantahun M, Kennedy RC, Tafesse B. Health and social problems encountered by treated and untreated obstetric fistula patients in rural Ethiopia. Journal of obstetrics and Gyneacology. 2008;30(1):44–50.
22.
23.
Mselle L, T Karen M Moland, Evjen-Olsen B, Abu M, and, Thecla WK. “I am nothing”: experiences of loss among women suffering from severe birth injuries in Tanzania. BMC Womens Health 2011;11(49).
24.
Hsiung J, Savbäck S, Olola O, Andersson R. Long-time Suffering from Psychosocial Consequences A Problem for Women with Vaginal Fistula in Moshi. Tanzania. [research article]: In press; 2014.
25.
Mselle L, Teddy, Rnm a, Evjen-Olsen B, Karen M, Moland, Polit C, Mvungi a, et al. hoping for a normal life again: reintegration after fistula repair in rural Tanzania. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2012;34(10):927–38.CrossRef
26.
Kabayambi J, Baragein JK, Matovu JKB, Beyeza J, Ekirapa E, et al. Living with obstetric fistula: perceived causes, challenges and coping strategies among women attending the fistula Clinic at Mulago Hospital, Uganda. International Journal of Tropical disease and health. 2014;4(3):352–61.CrossRef
27.
Barageine JK, Kashesya JB, Byamugisha JK, Tumwesigye NM, Almroth L, et al. “I am alone and isolated”: a qualitative study of experiences of women living with genital fistula in Uganda. BMC Womens Health. 2015;15:73.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
28.
29.
Kimani MZ, Omondi O, and, Anthony K. The prevalence and impact of obstetric fistula on women of Kaptembwa Nakuru, Kenya. International Journal of Applied Science and Technology 2014; 4 (273 ).
30.
31.
Marissa PY, Effie CT, Tsui AO. The lived experience of Malawian women with obstetric fistula. Culture, Health and Sexuality: An International Journal for Research, Intervention and Care. 2009;11(5):499–513.CrossRef
32.
Ahmed S, Holtz S. Social and economic consequences of obstetric fistula: life changed forever? Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2007;99:510–5.
Metadata
Title
Consequences of obstetric fistula in sub Sahara African countries, from patients’ perspective: a systematic review of qualitative studies
Authors
Debrework Tesgera Bashah
Abebaw Gebeyehu Worku
Mezgebu Yitayal Mengistu
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Women's Health / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6874
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-018-0605-1

Other articles of this Issue 1/2018

BMC Women's Health 1/2018 Go to the issue

Research article

Rubella natural immunity among adolescent girls in Tanzania: the need to vaccinate child bearing aged women

Research article

Predictors of abnormal cytology among HPV-infected women in remote territories of French Guiana

Research article

The effects of concurrent training (aerobic-resistance) and milk consumption on some markers of bone mineral density in women with osteoporosis

Research article

Factors associated with deep infiltrating endometriosis versus ovarian endometrioma in China: a subgroup analysis from the FEELING study

Research article

Perceptions and decision-making with regard to pregnancy among HIV positive women in rural Maputo Province, Mozambique – a qualitative study

Research article

Major dietary patterns in relation to menstrual pain: a nested case control study