Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Women Regarding Prevention of Obstetric Fistula at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital.

Abstract

Background An obstetric fistula is an opening between the vagina and the urinary tract (ureter, urethra, and bladder) or the rectum through which urine and feaces leak continuously. Each year an estimated 15 million women are affected with a chronic morbidity due to child birth, one of the most severe forms is obstetric fistula.

Objective The aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of women regarding prevention of obstetric fistula at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital

Method A descriptive cross sectional study employing quantitative method was employed to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of women regarding prevention of obstetric fistula at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital. A total of 322 women from the hospital were included in this study using probability, simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 17.

Result From the assessment done 66.5% of respondents reported having not heard of obstetric fistula, only 25% of the respondents gave the correct definition as an abnormal passage between epithelial surfaces, usually connecting the cavity of one organ to another or a cavity with the surface of the body, only 27.3% said they knew the signs and symptoms, 34.8% of the women agreed that an obstetric fistula is God’s plan, 65.5% agreed that campaigns against fistula should be public, 54.0% agreed that witchcraft is a risk factor of obstetric fistula and 58.7% did not know if obstetric is preventable with 41.3% think obstetric fistula can be prevented by health facility delivery and antenatal attendance with following health workers instructions; the main preventive measures mentioned by most respondents at 78.2% and 75.2% respectively.

Conclusion There was general poor knowledge and attitude as well as practices of the mothers as far as obstetric is concern. Hence, providing knowledge can change the community beliefs and the practices on prevention of obstetric fistula therefore, the researchers recommend increased level of the sensitization throughout the country in different languages to enhance knowledge on obstetric fistula and related topics.