Quality of life of obstetrics fistula patients before and after surgical repair in the Jimma University Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background The consequences of obstetric fistula on affected women are more than the medical condition. It has extensive physical, psychological, social, and economic consequences on them. Obstetric fistula affects the entire health and entire life of women. Women suffering from obstetric fistula are often abandoned by her partner, relatives, and the community. This study aimed to determine the quality of life of obstetrics fistula patients before and after surgical repair. Methods Institutional-based prospective, before and after study design was conducted in the Jimma University Medical Center from November 1, 2019–October 30, 2020. A face-to-face interview was conducted with fistula patients who visited Jimma University Medical center, fistula clinic during the study period. All fistula patients were included in the study. Accordingly, 78 women who underwent surgical repair were interviewed. The means and the standard deviation were computed using conventional statistics formulas. The unpaired t-test was used to compare two independent means, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the quality of life before repair and after a successful repair. Linear regression analysis was done for identifying determinants of quality of life. A P value of 0.05 will be considered statistical significance. Result The overall quality of life of women was 58.17 ± 7.2 before the surgical repair and 71.20 ± 10.79 after surgical repair. The result indicates there is a significant difference in the mean value of pre and post-operative (P < 0.001). The overall satisfaction of women with their health status before the surgical repair was 22.5 ± 1.30and it has increased to 53.0 ± .90after surgical repair. The physical health dimension score was 16.51 ± 5.27 before the surgical repair while it has increased to 21.77 ± 5.38 after the surgical repair. The score of the social domain before the surgical repair was 5.19 ± 1.34 and it has increased to 7.13 ± 3.67 after the surgical repair. The score of the environmental health domain was 17.41 ± 2.89 before the surgery while it also increased to 21.65 ± 4.04 after the surgical repair. The results have shown there was a significant difference in the mean values of pre and post-operatives in both social and environmental scores (P < 0.001). The score of the psychological health domain before the surgery was 19.06 ± 1.46 and it was increased to 19.84 ± 3.21 after the surgical repair. The result showed there is a significant difference in mean value pre and post-operative (P = 0.048), though it is a slight improvement compared to other domains. Conclusion The overall quality of life of the patient with fistula was improved after successful surgical repair. Although all domains of quality of life had shown significant improvement after successful surgical repair, the psychological domain showed slight improvement.

Life Experiences on Social and Economic Re-Integration for Fistula Victims Post Repair, Tanzania

“…As a result, their self-con dence and self-esteem were improved, survivors were reunited with their families, and most could take part again in the social activities. Studies in Africa also revealed similar ndings (4,(10)(11)(12)14). In Kenya for instance, following the project implementation, there was an increased self-esteem and involvement of women in decision making on matters that involved their health and wellbeing in general (12).…”

Repair of Vesicovaginal Fistulae

“…Surgical repair shows improvement in quality-of-life scores, including overall satisfaction, psychological health domains, and bladder and sexual function, and helps women regain a place within their communities. 26,43,60,61 Although the old tenets of surgical repair yield high success rates, surgeons still have a responsibility to identify what is best practice. Beyond surgical repair, rehabilitation and reintegration programs are critical.…”

Pregnant Women`s knowledge and Attitude Regarding Obstetric Fistula

“…It is a public health issue for women and communities within developing countries, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia. Obstetrics fistula which signifies a health system that has failed to provide accessible, timely, and appropriate intrapartum care, improving health care workers' knowledge, practices and attitudes regarding obstetric fistula could help in its prevention 4 Obstetric fistula is a public health concern for women and women's communities within developing nations, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia and it is found to be one of the most visible indicators of maternal morbidity 7 The current study aimed to assess Pregnant Women`s knowledge and attitude Regarding Obstetric Fistula. The findings of the current study will be discussed under four main sections, characteristic of the studied women, knowledge of the studied women regarding obstetric fistula, attitude of the studied women regarding obstetric fistula, and the final section reflected relation between level of total knowledge, attitude score and socio-demographic characteristics.…”

“… Part (2): obstetrical history which consisted of (7) items such as( age of marriage, age at first child, the number of pregnancies, history of abortion, previous birth method, the place where the previous child was born and had obstetric fistula before).…”