Reintegration Experiences After Obstetric Fistula: A Qualitative Study Conducted In The Central Region

Abstract

Background: Because of the obstetric fistula, which is largely encountered by marginalized women living in rural and sometimes urban society, many women are currently living in humiliation and seclusion. As a result, the primary goal of this study was to investigate women's reintegration experiences following obstetric fistula treatment. Methods: The current study employed a qualitative cross-sectional approach. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were also used to analyse the reintegration of women with fistula repairs using the exploratory descriptive method. Purposive sampling was used to obtain a sample for this study. As a result, 19 people were used in the study. Fifteen (15) women with healed fistulas, three (3) staff members from the fistula centre, and one (1) doctor from Mercy Women's Hospital who was actively involved in the repair. The data were collected through an in-depth interview (IDI), which was directed by an interview guide with open-ended questions. Results: The majority of the women reported psychological/emotional, social, economic, and marital instability issues, according to the data. In terms of post-fistula repair support, the study found that the majority of participants had help from their family and the government to deal with their problems. The data also revealed that the main services accessible for women after fistula repair were counselling, follow-up, and complication management of the patients' conditions. Conclusion: According to the study, if the following obstacles are not addressed by providing social support and proper health-care services, women who have had an obstetric fistula repaired will have a difficult time reintegrating into their families and communities. Obstetric fistula, experience, repair, and reintegration are all phrases that come to mind while thinking about obstetric fistula. Keywords: Obstetric fistula, experience, repair, reintegration