Abstract
Poor use of fistula repair services has contributed to the continued consequences of obstetric fistula that are physical, psychological, social, financial and economic among the afflicted women. The study was designed to assess views of health care providers on factors hindering women with obstetric fistula in seeking fistula repair services. A descriptive cross sectional design was used. Sixty-five (65) health care providers were selected through convenient sampling method to participate in the study. A structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Reliability was ensured using test retest and alpha value of 0.7 for the views scale Statistical analysis was performed with the IBM SPSS Statistics 20 software. Data was expressed as descriptive summary measures. Factors found to be hindering women in seeking fistula repair services were lack of knowledge that repair services exist, anxiety, loss of dignity, stigma, transportation challenges, financing for the procedure, myths and misconception on obstetric fistula and health systems barriers. Therefore, there is need to engage the individual, communities, organisations and policy makers in order to improve women’s use of fistula repair services. Key words: Health care providers, women with obstetric fistula, fistula repair services, obstetric fistula, Views, Zambia.
Highlights
Obstetric fistula is a childbirth complication in which a hole develops between the bladder and vagina or between the rectum and vagina (Gele et al, 2017)
This issue of building more centres has been documented by Cam et al (2009) who indicated out that establishing dedicated fistula centres in high prevalence areas is an effective strategy in supporting women living with obstetric fistula rather than a hospital committed to fistula repair
This study showed that all the respondents viewed provision of free fistula services, educating men not to abandon their afflicted women, and sensitising the communities on myths and misconception of obstetric fistula would enable women to access fistula repair services
Summary
Obstetric fistula is a childbirth complication in which a hole develops between the bladder and vagina or between the rectum and vagina (Gele et al, 2017). It occurs after a prolonged and neglected labour without adequate assistance or might happen as a complication after caesarean delivery, and causes a constant leaking. Midwifery of urine and/or faeces through the vagina (Gele et al, 2017). Fistula occurs roughly in 50,000 –130,000 girls and women occurring living in Africa annually (Alkire et al, 2012)
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