Comparison of Binary Models for the Associated Factors Affecting Recovery Status of Vesico-vaginal Obstetrics Fistula Patients: A Case of Mettu Hamlin Fistula Center, South West Ethiopian

Abstract

Background: Obstetric fistula or vaginal fistula is a medical condition in which a fistula (hole) develops between either the rectum or vagina or between the bladder and vagina after severe or failed childbirth, when adequate medical care is not available. It is the most tragic of preventable childbirth complications in the developing world, as affected women are often abandoned by their husbands and family, and forced to live in shame. Objective: The main objective the study was to determine an appropriate binary model for the recovery status of the vesico-vaginal patients. Furthermore, the study explores factors affecting the recovery status of the patients during the time period of the study. Methods: The study consists of 206 vesico-vaginal fistula patients having all required information who were taking treatment at Mettu Hamlin Fistula center from November 2010 to June 2014. The chi-square test of association was employed to explore the association between the recovery status and categorical independent variables. After exploring the association between the variables, different binary models were employed to have an appropriate model for the recovery status of the patients based on Akaki information criteria of the model. Results: The chi-square test of association showed that width of fistula length of fistula and bladder size categories were significantly associated with recovery status of the patients at 5% of level of significance. The study showed among the candidate binary models logistic model was considers an appropriate model. Furthermore, the fitted model showed width, length of fistula and bladder size categories were the factors that have significant effect on the recovery status of the patients at 5% level of significance. Conclusion: Logistic regression model was the better fit of the data whereas the fistula patients with width and length fistula category group between three up to five centimeter were less likely to be recovered comparison with the fistula patients group with width and length of fistula less than or equal to two centimeters. Similarly, the none bladder size category patients where less likely recover in comparison with fair bladder size fair bladder size group patients.