Association of socio-demographic and obstetric factors with obstetric fistula patients’ perceptions towards life fulfillment in Kitovu Hospital, Uganda
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20201423Keywords:
Beliefs, Fulfillment, Maternal health, Obstetric fistula, Perceptions, Social reintegrationAbstract
Background: To date, obstetric fistula is one of the major public health challenges among the poorest, young women and girls in rural communities in low and middle-income countries. There is scarce information on the association of socio-demographic and obstetric factors with the obstetric fistula patients’ perceptions towards life fulfillment which compelled this study.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a semi-structured questionnaire was done among 390 obstetric fistula patients registered within the past two years to the time of data collection at Kitovu Hospital, Masaka, Uganda. Pearson’s Chi square correlation was used to determine the association of socio-demographic and obstetric factors with perceptions towards life fulfillment using SPSS 25.0.
Results: A larger proportion of obstetric fistula patients 226 (57.9%) had negative perceptions while 164 (42.1%) had positive perceptions. Maternal age, repair status, outcome of repair, self-perceived level of incontinence, and number of living children were statistically associated with patients’ perceptions towards life fulfillment at a P-value less than 0.001, marital status, p value of 0.005, and overall duration lived with fistula, p value of 0.009. A greater number of patients with tertiary education, 5 (83.3%) had positive perception, however, the association was not significant with a p value of 0.059. Fistula type, region of residence, and number of repairs were not statistically significant.
Conclusions: Thus, socio-demographic and obstetric factors influence patients’ perceptions towards life a great deal. Efforts should focus on fistula prevention and timely repair so as to minimize probable experiences likely to result in negative perception that would eventually impede life fulfillment.
References
United Nations Population Fund. End the shame, end isolation, end fistula. Concept note: Partnership with the private sector foundation in Uganda in the campaign to end fistula. UNFPA, Uganda; 2011.
Kasamba N, Kaye KD, Mbalinda NS. Community awareness about risk factors, presentation, prevention, and obstetric fistula in Nabitovu village, Iganga district, Uganda. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2013;13:229.
Bomboka JB, N-Mboowa MG, Nakilembe J. Post- effects of obstetric fistula in Uganda; a case study of fistula survivors in Kitovu Mission Hospital (Masaka), Uganda. BMC Public Health. 2019;19:696.
Watt HM, Wilson MS, Nyindo, MP. Development of an intervention to improve mental health for obstetric fistula patients in Tanzania. Evaluat Program Planning. 2015;50:1-9.
World Health Organization (WHO). End Fistula. Restore Women’s Dignity: International Day to End Obstetric Fistula: 23 May. Sexual and Reproductive Health. WHO; 2019.
Fistula Care. Counseling the obstetric fistula client. A training curriculum. New York: Engender Health; 2012.
Lozo S, Morgan MA. Mary Lake Polan, Ambereen Sleemi, Mulu Muleta Bedane. Disease Control Priorities. 3rd Edn. The World Bank Group; 2015:95.
El Ayadi MA, Barageine JK, Korn A, Kakaire O, Turan J, Obore S, et al. Trajectories of women’s physical and psychosocial health following obstetric fistula repair in Uganda: a longitudinal study. Trop Med Int Health. 2019;24(1):53-64.
Lombard L, de St. Jorre J, Geddes R, Alison M, El Ayadi A, Grant L. Rehabilitation experiences after obstetric fistula repair: Systematic review of qualitative studies. Trop Med Int Health. 2015;20(5):554-68.
Changole J, Thorsen CV, Kafulafula U. “I am a person but I am not a person”: Experiences of women living with obstetric fistula in central region of Malawi. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2017;17:433.
Kalembo FW, Zgambo M. Obstetric fistula: a hidden public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. Arts Soc Sci J. 2012:ASSJ-41.
Dennis AC, Wilson SM, Mosha MV, Masenga GG, Sikkema KJ, Terroso KE, et al. Experiences of social support among women presenting for obstetric fistula repair surgery in Tanzania. Int J Women Health. 2016;8:429-39.
Byamugisha J, El Ayadi A, Obore S, Mwanje H, Kakaire O, Barageine J, Lester F, Butrick E, Korn A, Nalubwama H, Knight S. Beyond repair-family and community reintegration after obstetric fistula surgery: study protocol. Reprod Health. 2015;12(1):115.
Ackerman EC. Life satisfaction theory and 4 contributing factors. Positive Psychology. 2019.
University College Dublin. Sr. Dr. Maura Lynch RIP. UCD, College of Medicine; 2018.
Ministry of Health Report. Uganda commemorates fistula day 2016. Ministry of Health-Republic of Uganda; 2018.
Molassiotis A, Russell W, Hughes J, Breckons M, Lloyd-Williams M, Richardson J, et al. Appendix 6, Study scales: sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire. Southampton (UK): NIHR Journals Library; 2013.
El Ayadi A, Nalubwama H, Barageine J, Neilands TB, Obore S, Byamugisha J, et al. Development and preliminary validation of a post-fistula repair reintegration instrument among Ugandan women. Reprod Health. 2017;14(1):109.
Menec HV, Chipperfield GJ, Perry PR. Self-perceptions of health: A Prospective analysis of mortality, control, and health. J Gerontol Psychol Sci.1999;54B(2):P85-93.
TERREWODE. Fistula treatment and reintegration center project proposal brief. TERREWODE; 2013.
Anastasi E, Borchert M, Lange LI. Losing women along the path to safe motherhood: why is there such a gap between women’s use of antenatal care and skilled birth attendance? A mixed methods study in northern Uganda. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2015;15:287.
Désalliers J, Paré ME, Kouraogo S, Corcos J. Impact of surgery on quality of life of women with obstetrical fistula: a qualitative study in Burkina Faso. Int Urogynecol J. 2017;28:1091.
Ahmed S, Holtz AS. Social and economic consequences of obstetric fistula: Life changing forever? Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2007;99:S10-5.
Teddy ML, Evjen-Olsen B, Marie MK, Mvungi A, Wankuru KT. “Hoping for a normal life again: Reintegration after fistula repair in rural Tanzania. Women Health. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2012;34(10):927-38.
Wilson MS, Sikkema JK, Melissa H, Watt HM, Masenga GG. Psychological symptoms among obstetric fistula patients compared to gynecology outpatients in Tanzania. Int J Behav Med. 2015;22(5):605-13.
Mutambara J, Maunganidze L, Muchichwa P. Towards promotion of maternal health: The psychological impact of obstetric fistula on women in Zimbabwe. Int J Asian Soc Sci. 2013;3:229-39.
Cantarero R, James J, Potter JJ, Leach KC. Perceptions of quality of life, sense of community e, sense of community, and life satisfaction among elderly residents in Schuyler and Crete, Nebraska. Architecture Program. 2007: 4.
