A community-based long-term follow up of women undergoing obstetric fistula repair in rural Ethiopia
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
OBJECTIVES: To assess urinary and reproductive health and quality of life following surgical repair of obstetric fistula. DESIGN: Follow-up study. SETTING: A newly established fistula clinic (2004) at Gimbie Adventist Hospital, a 71-bedded district general hospital in West Wollega Zone, in rural Western Ethiopia. POPULATION: Thirty-eight women (86%) of 44 who had undergone fistula repair were identified in their community. METHODS: Community-based structured interviews 14-28 months following fistula repair, using a customised questionnaire addressing urinary health, reproductive health and quality of life. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Urinary health at follow up was assessed as completely dry, stress or urge incontinence, or fistula. King's Health Questionnaire was modified and used for the quality-of-life assessment. RESULTS: At follow up, 21 women (57%) were completely dry, 13 (35%) suffered from stress or urge incontinence and three (8%) had a persistent fistula. Surgery improved quality of life and facilitated social reintegration to a level comparable to that experienced before fistula development for both women who were dry and those with residual incontinence (P = 0.001). For women still suffering from fistula no change was seen (P = 0.1). Four women became pregnant following their surgery, among which there was one maternal death, three stillbirths and one re-occurrence of fistula. CONCLUSION: Community-based, long-term follow up after fistula repair succeeded in Western rural Ethiopia. Despite one-third still suffering stress or urge incontinence, the women reported improved quality of life and social reintegration after fistula closure.
Original language | English |
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Journal | British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology |
Volume | 116 |
Issue number | 9 |
Pages (from-to) | 1258-64 |
Number of pages | 6 |
ISSN | 1470-0328 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2009 |
Bibliographical note
Keywords: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ethiopia; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Length of Stay; Middle Aged; Patient Satisfaction; Quality of Life; Rural Health; Treatment Outcome; Urinary Incontinence; Vesicovaginal Fistula; Young Adult
ID: 20196028