Causes and consequences of obstetric fistula in Ethiopia: A literature review Tollosa Daniel Nigusse1,*, Kibret Mengistu Asnake2 1Mekelle University, CHS, Department of Public Health, Mekelle, Ethiopia 2Path finder international, Country representative, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia *Corresponding author Email: danielnigusse@gmail.com
Abstract Obstetric fistula (OF) is one of the major potential complications of childbirth mostly young women in developing countries including Ethiopia. Though few scientific studies have been conducted related to its causes and consequences, it is challenging to find a comprehensive figure about obstetric fistula in Ethiopia. Therefore, this paper sought that to review the causes and consequences of obstetric fistula in Ethiopia. A number of relevant obstetrics and gynaecology websites and journals were reviewed. Google, Pubmed, and Hinari searching engines were used to find out relevant references. Year of publication, location, language and its type of publication were the inclusion criteria used for reviewing literatures. It is observed that obstetric fistula has been a major burdened mainly for women in the rural Ethiopian and its causes and consequences are very deep and diverse. The great majority of obstetric fistula causes in Ethiopia is due to Obstetric labour. Distance to the health care facility, transportation access, economic factors (poverty), poor knowledge related to the problem, poor health seeking behaviour of the affected women and age at first marriage are the other triggering factors. Stigma and discrimination of obstetric fistula patients by their husbands and families, economic dependency and psychological disorder are often mentioned as consequences for OF patients in Ethiopia. Top Keywords Obstetric fistula, Ethiopia. Top |