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Agha A, Ebimgbo S, Ene J, Okah P, Ekoh P, Onalu C. Experiential Narratives of Factors Limiting and Boosting Access to Support Services for Women with Obstetric Fistula in Southeast Nigeria. JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE-BASED SOCIAL WORK (2019) 2024; 21:545-560. [PMID: 38566581 DOI: 10.1080/26408066.2024.2337372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Obstetric fistula is a chronic health condition that leaves affected women battered and traumatized, thereby exposing them to social recluse life as a result of associated discomfort and odor. Support services to those with challenging health conditions are reputed to help cushion the adverse effects on them; thus women with fistula and other chronic diseases receiving adequate support will help them to cope and recuperate from such illnesses. This study explores the factors limiting and boosting access to support services for those with obstetric fistulainNigeria. MATERIALS AND METHOD Focus Group Discussions and In-depth Interviews were employed to obtain data from 44 participants. The thematic data analysis method was deployed in analyzing the data collected. RESULTS Factors like the limited number of fistula specialist doctors, poor funding, withdrawal from seeking help, long distance, and discrimination limit patients' access to support services and adequate fistula care. The study highlighted that community involvement in fistula care, adequate funding, training, and retraining of professionals will boost support services for fistula patients. CONCLUSION The study recommends the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach in the management of obstetric fistula patients including the involvement of not only medical personnel but also social workers, families, groups, and community leaders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Agha
- Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Samuel Ebimgbo
- Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Jecinta Ene
- Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Paulinus Okah
- Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Prince Ekoh
- Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Chinyere Onalu
- Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
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Edwards ER, Coolidge B, Ruiz D, Epshteyn G, Krauss A, Gorman D, Connelly B, Redden C, El-Meouchy P, Geraci J. Situational stress and suicide attempt behavior in Army soldiers and veterans: Insights from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers-Longitudinal Study. Suicide Life Threat Behav 2023; 53:642-654. [PMID: 37306332 DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prevention of suicide-related behaviors is considered a top clinical priority within the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense. Despite previous literature attesting to the likely importance of situational stress as a key correlate of acute changes in suicide risk, longitudinal research into associations between situational stress and suicide-related outcomes among military personnel has been relatively limited. METHODS The current study examined associations between situational stress, recent suicide attempt, and future suicide attempt using data from 14,508 Army soldiers and recently discharged veterans enrolled in the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers-Longitudinal Studies (STARRS-LS). RESULTS Recent situational stress was more common among recently discharged veterans (vs. soldiers), those with a recent suicide attempt (vs. those without), and those with a subsequent suicide attempt (vs. those without). Job loss was more closely associated with suicide attempts among soldiers, whereas financial crisis, police contact, and death, illness, or injury of close others were more closely associated with suicide attempts among recently discharged veterans. CONCLUSION Findings further highlight situational stress as a salient risk factor for suicide-related outcomes among military personnel, particularly among recently discharged veterans. Implications for screening and treatment of at-risk military personnel are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Edwards
- VISN 2 Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Department of Veterans Affairs, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Brettland Coolidge
- VISN 2 Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Department of Veterans Affairs, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Danny Ruiz
- VISN 2 Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Department of Veterans Affairs, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Gabriella Epshteyn
- VISN 2 Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Department of Veterans Affairs, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Alison Krauss
- VA VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Waco, Texas, USA
| | - Daniel Gorman
- VISN 2 Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Department of Veterans Affairs, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Brigid Connelly
- VISN 2 Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Department of Veterans Affairs, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Counseling & Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Clare Redden
- VISN 2 Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Department of Veterans Affairs, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Counseling & Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Paul El-Meouchy
- Department of Psychology, Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Joseph Geraci
- VISN 2 Mental Illness, Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Department of Veterans Affairs, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Counseling & Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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