BACKGROUND Obstetric fistula devastates the lives of women and is found most commonly among the poor in resource-limited settings. Unrepaired third- and fourth-degree perineal lacerations have been shown to be the source of approximately one-third of the fistula burden in fistula camps in Kenya. In this study, we assessed potential barriers to accurate identification by Kenyan nurse-midwives of...

BACKGROUND Vesicovaginal fistula is a preventable calamity, which has been an age-long menace in developing countries. OBJECTIVE To review the causes, complications, and outcome of Vesicovaginal fistula in Nigeria. METHODS Studies on Vesicovaginal fistula were searched on the internet. Information was obtained on PubMed(medline), WHO website, Bioline International, African Journal of Line, ...

Objective: The recto-vaginal fistula is an abnormal communication between the previous wall of the rectum and the posterior face of the vagina through the recto-vaginal septum. They are often due to the obstetric traumas and they can be of post-surgical origin. Methods: We report five cases of patients with obstetric recto-vaginal fistula and all of the patients have surgical intervention with ...

BACKGROUND Information was collected on 1500 obstetric fistula patients attending Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) in Mwanza, Tanzania. OBJECTIVES To identify high risk populations of fistula patients treated from 1998-2006. DESIGN A prospective description study of 1294 patients treated for urine and faecal incontinence at BMC. SETTING Obstetrics and Gynaecological ward at Bugando Medical Ce...

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to evaluate the first formal counseling program for obstetric fistula patients in Eritrea. METHODS To evaluate the impact of the counseling program, clients were interviewed both before pre-operative counseling and again after post-operative counseling. A questionnaire was used in the interviews to assess women's knowledge about fistula, self-esteem, and t...

Obstetric fistula is a devastating problem known to mankind from time immemorial [1]. It is an abnormal opening into the vagina leading to continuous involuntary leakage of urine and/or faeces following childbirth. The commonest type is vesicovaginal fistula. Other variants include rectovaginal fistula, urethrovaginal fistula, ureterovaginal fistula and vesicouterine fistula. It is a complicati...

In Kenya, there is an estimated 1000 new obstetric fistula (OF) cases each year, with only 7.5% currently treated.1 It is probable these figures are underestimates since not only has there been generally a lack of commitment in addressing and resolving this problem, but also these young girls or women tend to live with their fear and stigmatization in silence and isolation, unknown to the healt...

BACKGROUND The huge back-log of obstetric fistula and the increasing incidence of the condition in Nigeria is a cause for concern for all stake-holders. This worrisome trend requires concerted effort with innovative strategies to redress the situation. METHODS Hospital-based outreach programs sponsored by a non-governmental organization with volunteer medical and health personnel were used to...

OBJECTIVE Surgery is the only successful treatment for most obstetric fistulae. The present study measured the impact of a structured program of pre- and postoperative physiotherapy and health education on the outcome of surgery for obstetric fistula. METHODS We compared the postoperative outcomes of 2 consecutive groups of women with obstetric fistulae who were recruited and followed-up by 2...

BACKGROUND Obstetric fistula although virtually eliminated in high income countries, still remains a prevalent and debilitating condition in many parts of the developing world. It occurs in areas where access to care at childbirth is limited, or of poor quality and where few hospitals offer the necessary corrective surgery. METHODS This was a prospective observational study where all women wh...