Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1130 Blindern, N-0318 Oslo, Norway.
Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7804, 5021 Bergen, Norway.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Aug 26;16(17):3092. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16173092.
: The main symptom of obstetric fistula is urinary and or fecal incontinence. Incontinence, regardless of the type is debilitating, socially isolating, and psychologically depressing. The objective of this study was to explore the strategies that women with obstetric fistula in Malawi use to manage it and its complications. : A subset of data from a study on experiences of living with obstetric fistula in Malawi was used to thematically analyze the strategies used by women to cope with their fistula and its complications. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Nvivo 10 was used to manage data. : Participants used two forms of coping strategies: (1) problem-based coping strategies: restricting fluid intake, avoiding sexual intercourse, using homemade pads, sand, corn flour, a cloth wreathe and herbs, and (2) emotional-based coping strategies: support from their families, children, and through their faith in God. : Women living with incontinence due to obstetric fistula employ different strategies of coping, some of which conflict with the advice of good bladder management. Therefore, these women need more information on how best they can self-manage their condition to ensure physical and emotional comfort.
：产科瘘的主要症状是尿失禁和/或大便失禁。失禁，无论哪种类型，都会使人虚弱、与社会隔绝和心理压抑。本研究的目的是探讨马拉维产科瘘妇女用来管理其瘘和并发症的策略。：本研究是对马拉维产科瘘患者生活经历的一项研究的一部分数据，用于对妇女用来应对瘘和其并发症的策略进行主题分析。数据收集采用半结构式访谈。Nvivo 10 用于管理数据。：参与者使用了两种应对策略：（1）基于问题的应对策略：限制液体摄入、避免性行为、使用自制垫、沙子、玉米粉、布花环和草药；（2）基于情感的应对策略：来自家人、孩子的支持，以及对上帝的信仰。：由于产科瘘导致尿失禁的妇女采用了不同的应对策略，其中一些与良好的膀胱管理建议相冲突。因此，这些妇女需要更多关于如何最好地自我管理病情的信息，以确保身体和情感上的舒适。
