School of Public Service and Governance, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Accra, Ghana.
School of Public Service and Governance, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration. Achimota, Accra, Ghana.
Women Birth. 2023 Feb;36(1):e1-e9. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2022.04.001. Epub 2022 May 13.
Obstetric fistula is a devastating complication caused by a prolonged and obstructed labor. It is estimated that about 2 million girls and women continue to live with obstetric fistula while between 50,000-100,000 women worldwide develop obstetric fistula each year. This condition continues to persist and remains a major problem in Ghana and other developing countries.
To explore the challenges and post-surgery integration needs among rural women living with obstetric fistula.
A critical exploratory research methodology based on phenomenology was used to conduct in-depth one-on-one interviews. A non-probability and purposive sampling were done to identify thirty-six (36) women between the ages of 25 and 65. The interviews were recorded electronically and transcribed verbatim. A systematic analysis of data was then done to identify and categorize emerging themes.
The results from the study showed that those who lived with obstetric fistulae experienced psychosocial, physical and economic challenges. Dominant among the psychological challenges identified were disruptions in social relations, divorce and loss of baby through neonatal death. Physical challenges include rashes and sores, foot drop, incontinence of urine. Economically, these women lost their source of livelihood and were heavily dependent on other family members. Support from family was also found to be key towards the post-surgery integration of the women.
Obstetric fistula is a dilapidating condition that needs to be addressed at the micro, mezzo and macro level. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made to improve emergency obstetric care for women especially for women living in rural communities.
产科瘘是由长时间和受阻的分娩引起的一种严重并发症。据估计，全世界每年有 5 万至 10 万名妇女患有产科瘘，而约有 200 万女孩和妇女继续患有产科瘘。这种情况在加纳和其他发展中国家仍然存在，并仍然是一个主要问题。
探讨农村地区患有产科瘘的妇女所面临的挑战和术后融入社会的需求。
采用基于现象学的批判性探索性研究方法进行深入的一对一访谈。采用非概率和目的性抽样方法，确定了 36 名年龄在 25 岁至 65 岁之间的妇女。访谈以电子方式记录并逐字转录。然后对数据进行系统分析，以识别和分类出现的主题。
研究结果表明，患有产科瘘的妇女经历了社会心理、身体和经济方面的挑战。在确定的心理挑战中，最突出的是社会关系破裂、离婚和新生儿死亡导致失去婴儿。身体方面的挑战包括皮疹和溃疡、足下垂、尿失禁。在经济方面，这些妇女失去了生计来源，严重依赖其他家庭成员。研究还发现，家庭的支持对妇女术后融入社会至关重要。
产科瘘是一种需要在微观、中观和宏观层面解决的破败状况。基于研究结果，提出了改善妇女特别是农村社区妇女紧急产科护理的建议。
