Abstract:
The experiences of women who developed obstetric fistulae as a result of complication of
labour at the Bawku District Hospital were investigated. An explorative descriptive
research methodology was employed to conduct in-depth one -on -one interview with
the ten participants between the ages of 20 and 70 years, recruited by purposive sampling.
The interv iews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim, after which systematic content
analysis was done to identify the themes and their categories. The results showed that
women with obstetric fistulae experienced negative physical, social and psychological
problems. Physical problems identified included genital and perineal sores, urine
incontinence and infections. Social experiences of participants included social isolation,
loss of job and friends as well as poverty, spousal rejection and divorce. Psychological
experiences of participants ranged from loss of self-esteem, stigmatization and sense of
hopelessness and unworthiness. Based on the above findings, appropriate
recommendations were made to guide future researchers of obstetric fistula, obstetric
health practitioners, policy makers and nurse administrators.
