Knowledge of front-line health workers on the role of urethral catheterization for primary prevention of obstetric fistula in Ibadan, Nigeria

Knowledge and practice of obstetric care providers on prevention of obstetric fistula 2023: an institution-based cross-sectional study

Background

Obstetric fistula is a preventable devastating condition that is mostly caused by obstructed labour. About 22% of obstructed labor is complicated by obstetric fistula. Skilled birth attendants during delivery are essential for the prevention of obstetric fistula. However, little is known about the status of the knowledge and practice of obstetric fistula prevention in the Gamo zone.

Objective

We aimed to assess the knowledge, practice, and associated factors of obstetric caregivers on the prevention of obstetric fistula in public health facilities of the Gamo zone in southwest Ethiopia 2023.

Method

A cross-sectional study was employed among 372 obstetric caregivers in selected public health facilities of the Gamo zone in southwest Ethiopia from 1 December 2022 to 30 January 2023. Study participants were selected by a simple random sampling technique, and data were collected by using a pre-tested and self-administered questionnaire. The collected data were coded and entered into Epi-Data version 4.6 computer software and exported to SPSS version 27 for analysis purposes. Bivariable and Multivariable Logistic analyses were applied. The level of significance was declared at a P-value ≤0.05 and a 95% confidence interval.

Results

About 57% [95% CI (53.00-62.00)] of participants had good knowledge, and about 55.4% [95% CI (50.00-60.00)] of obstetric caregivers showed good practice for obstetric fistula prevention. The factors significantly associated with knowledge were service year [AOR = 2.50, 95% CI = (1.12-6.73)], types of a health facility [AOR = 1.99, 95% CI = (1.01-3.92)], age [AOR = 2.38, 95% CI = (1.03-5.49)], and in-service training [AOR = 4.61, 95% CI = (2.35-9.05)]. In-service training [AOR = 14.86, 95% CI = (12.75-18.73)], service year [AOR = 3.58, 95% CI = (1.24-10.29)], and knowledge [AOR: 13.24, 95% CI = (6.18-14.34)] were factors which were significantly associated with the practice of obstetric caregivers towards obstetric fistula prevention.

Conclusion

The knowledge and practice of obstetric caregivers on the prevention of obstetric fistula was low in public health facilities of the Gamo zone. In this study, practicing at a hospital was a factor significantly associated with the knowledge of obstetric caregivers. Having in-service training, advanced service year, and age were factors significantly associated with the knowledge and practice of obstetric caregivers. Regular in-service training of health professionals can enhance their knowledge and practice of obstetric fistula prevention.

Knowledge of obstetric fistula and its associated factors among women of reproductive age in Northwestern Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Obstetric fistula has been a major maternal health challenges in low and middle-income countries, especially in Ethiopia, due to high child marriage and poor access to healthcare. Obstetric fistula is common among teenage mothers that results in a vast social, economic and cultural sequel. In Ethiopia, there is a paucity of research evidence on women's knowledge about obstetric fistula. Therefore, this study aimed to assess women's knowledge about obstetric fistula and its associated factors at Banja District, Northwestern Ethiopia.

METHODS

A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from 1st -21th July 2021. Systematic sampling method was used to recruit 784 women in the reproductive age from six rural and one urban sub-districts. Two days of training was given to research assistants regarding the objective of the study, inclusion and exclusion criteria, checking completeness and ways of protecting confidentiality. Data were collected using face-to-face interview method. Collected data were entered into EpiData and exported into SPSS version 24 for cleaning and analysis. Descriptive statistics, binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed to identify associated factors. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at 95% CI with p < 0.05 was used to declare significant association with women's knowledge of obstetric fistula.

RESULTS

A total of 773 women gave a complete response with response rate of 98.6% (773/784). One-third (36.4%; 95%CI: 32.9-39.7%) had good knowledge about obstetric fistula. Women who had completed primary education (AOR:3.47, 95%CI:2.01-5.98), secondary and above (AOR:3.30, 95%CI:1.88-5.80), being a student (AOR: 6.78, 95%CI:3.88-11.86), get counseling about obstetric fistula (AOR:6.22, 95%CI: 3.78-10.24), participated in pregnant women's discussion forum (AOR:3.36, 95%CI: 1.99-5.66), had antenatal care follow-up (AOR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.39-4.13), being an urban resident (AOR: 3.19, 95% CI: 1.33-7.66), and having access to Television/Radio (AOR:1.68, 95%CI:1.10-2.60) were significantly associated with women's good knowledge about obstetric fistula.

CONCLUSION

Women's knowledge about obstetric fistula is unacceptably low. Therefore, concerned stakeholders should enhance awareness creation programs, strengthen antenatal care, counselling and women's discussion forum that could substantially optimize women's knowledge about obstetric fistula and its risk factors of obstetric fistula.