Obstetric fistula is the most devastating form of maternal morbidity. It is an opening in the wall of vagina connecting to bladder or to rectum due to prolonged obstructed labour without timely medical assistance. A few research studies carried out in India and recently conducted DLHS-3 survey (2007-08) has information on obstetric fistula that gives scope for further research. This paper exami...

Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia is a nonprofit organization [3] that began in 1974 as a joint endeavor by Reginald and Catherine Hamlin and the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia promotes reproductive health in Ethiopia by raising awareness and implementing treatment and preventive services for women affected by obstetric fistulas. It also aims to restore the...

With only four years left for the Millennium Development Goal's 2015 deadline for reducing poor maternal health outcomes, developing countries are still bearing a huge burden of maternal morbidity worldwide. Estimates show that over 2 million women worldwide are suffering from obstetric fistula, the majority of which live in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Arab region. The purpose o...

Obstetric fistula has been eliminated in developed countries, but remains highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. The End fistula campaign is the first concerted effort to eradicate the disease. The objective of this review is to retrieve and link available evidence to obstetric fistula prevention strategies in sub-Saharan Africa, since the campaign began. We searched databases for original res...

OBJECTIVE To identify, survey, and systematically review the current knowledge regarding obstetric fistula as a public health problem in low-income countries from the peer-reviewed literature. METHODS The Medline and Science Citation Index databases were searched to identify public health articles on obstetric fistula in low-income countries. Quantitative evidence-based papers were reviewed. ...

Perspectives Obstetric fistula – an abnormal connection between the vagina, rectum and/or bladder – may develop after prolonged and obstructed labour and lead to continuous urinary or faecal incontinence. Most fistulas occur in countries in sub-Saharan Africa or south Asia with poorly-resourced health systems. Women with obstetric fistula are indicators of the failure of health systems to deliv...

BACKGROUND Obstetric fistula and pelvic organ prolapse remain highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, where women have poor access to modern health care. Women having these problems tend to stay at home for years before getting treatment. However, information regarding the reasons contributing to late presentation to treatment is scarce, especially at the study area. The objective of this study...

Obstetric fistula is a serious and debilitating complication of childbirth affecting millions of women in the developing world. A gynecologic fistula refers to an abnormal communication between the urinary tract or the gastrointestinal tract and the genital tract, produced by obstetric causes, usually prolonged and obstructed labor. The earliest example of obstetric fistula was found in 2050 BC...

OBJECTIVE An obstetric fistula is a childbirth injury resulting in uncontrollable leakage of urine and/or feces and can lead to physical and psychological challenges, including social isolation. Prior to and after fistula repair surgery, social support can help a woman to reintegrate into her community. The aim of this study was to preliminarily examine the experiences of social support among T...

From 28-29 July 2005, The Bill and Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health hosted a meeting on the prevention and treatment of obstetric fistula. The two-day meeting was co-sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obste...