American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 200, Issue 5 , Pages e40-e42, May 2009

Obstetric fistulae in West Africa: patient perspectives

A portion of this research was presented as a poster at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Annual Clinical Meeting in New Orleans, LA, on May 5, 2008.

  • Lisa M. Nathan, MD, MPH

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprints: Lisa Nathan, MD, MPH, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University and Montefiore Medical Center, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Belfer Building, Room 512, Bronx, NY 10461
    • ,
  • Charles H. Rochat, MD

      Affiliations

    • Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research, WHO Collaborating Centre in Education and Research in Human Reproduction, Geneva, Switzerland
    • ,
  • Bogdan Grigorescu, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
    • ,
  • Erika Banks, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY

Received 30 July 2008; received in revised form 15 September 2008; accepted 7 October 2008. published online 29 December 2008.

Objective

The objective of this study is to gain insight into the nature of obstetric fistulae in Africa through patient perspectives.

Study Design

At l'Hôpital Saint Jean de Dieu in Tanguieta, Benin, 37 fistula patients underwent structured interviews about fistula cause, obstacles to medical care, prevention, and reintegration by 2 physicians via interpreters.

Results

The majority of participants (43%) thought their fistulae were a result of trauma from the operative delivery. Lack of financial resources (49%) was the most commonly reported obstacle to care, and prenatal care (38%) was most frequently reported as an intervention that may prevent obstetric fistulae. The majority (49%) of the participants requested no further reintegration assistance aside from surgery.

Conclusion

Accessible emergency obstetric care is necessary to decrease the burden of obstetric fistulae in Africa. This may be accomplished through increased and improved health care facilities and education of providers and patients.

Key words: global health, international heath, maternal morbidity, obstetric fistula, obstructed labor

 

 This research was conducted in Tanguieta, Benin.

PII: S0002-9378(08)02027-9

doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2008.10.014

American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 200, Issue 5 , Pages e40-e42, May 2009

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