Abstract
Background: The main symptom of obstetric fistula is urinary and or fecal incontinence. Incontinence, regardless of the type is debilitating, socially isolating, and psychologically depressing. The objective of this study was to explore the strategies that women with obstetric fistula in Malawi use to manage it and its complications. Methods: A subset of data from a study on experiences of living with obstetric fistula in Malawi was used to thematically analyze the strategies used by women to cope with their fistula and its complications. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Nvivo 10 was used to manage data. Results: Participants used two forms of coping strategies: (1) problem-based coping strategies: restricting fluid intake, avoiding sexual intercourse, using homemade pads, sand, corn flour, a cloth wreathe and herbs, and (2) emotional-based coping strategies: support from their families, children, and through their faith in God. Conclusion: Women living with incontinence due to obstetric fistula employ different strategies of coping, some of which conflict with the advice of good bladder management. Therefore, these women need more information on how best they can self-manage their condition to ensure physical and emotional comfort.
Highlights
Urinary incontinence, the involuntary loss of urine, can affect people of all ages, social, and cultural backgrounds, the causes may differ [1]
Obstetric fistula is a hole between the birth canal and bladder or rectum caused by prolonged, obstructed labor, which has not been treated in time [2]
More recent pooled estimates from a comprehensive systematic review suggest that just over one million young girls and women may have a fistula in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and that there are more than 6000 new cases per year within these two regions [6]
Summary
The involuntary loss of urine, can affect people of all ages, social, and cultural backgrounds, the causes may differ [1]. The objective of this study was to explore the strategies that women with obstetric fistula in Malawi use to manage it and its complications. Results: Participants used two forms of coping strategies: (1) problem-based coping strategies: restricting fluid intake, avoiding sexual intercourse, using homemade pads, sand, corn flour, a cloth wreathe and herbs, and (2) emotional-based coping strategies: support from their families, children, and through their faith in God. Conclusion: Women living with incontinence due to obstetric fistula employ different strategies of coping, some of which conflict with the advice of good bladder management. Conclusion: Women living with incontinence due to obstetric fistula employ different strategies of coping, some of which conflict with the advice of good bladder management These women need more information on how best they can self-manage their condition to ensure physical and emotional comfort
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
