P39 - Women’s experiences of obstetric fistula risk factors and the need for skilled birth attendance in North-central Nigeria: An Interpretive Description

Abstract

An obstetric fistula is an abnormal opening between the vagina, bladder, or rectum that causes uncontrolled and abnormal leaking of urine or feces. A prolonged obstructed labor and ischemic necrosis of the women’s bladder, vagina, or rectum is the major cause of obstetric fistula. Recently, it has been proposed that obstetric fistula survivors the women, should suggest interventions to mitigate or resolve the incidence of VVF which would enable the identification of gaps in maternity care provision, and would be of interest to community and health service leaders as well as policymakers. This study explores birthing women's experiences of obstetric fistula risk factors and the need for skilled birth attendance in Northern-central Nigeria. The design was an interpretive qualitative study involving face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 15 women with an obstetric fistula at a repair Centre in North-central Nigeria. A thematic approach to data analysis was employed to generate findings. Three core themes emerged from this study: • Delayed or suboptimal skilled maternal health care services • Absence or inadequately skilled birth attendance • Lack of women’s empowerment impeding access to maternal health The collective expression of women’s views through the interaction between the midwife and women with obstetric fistula is a call for quality health care for birthing women specially trained and skillful midwives to shape service development and delivery for improved maternity care and fistula prevention in Nigeria.