Obstetric Fistula

Obstetric fistula is as old as mankind. While the incidence has diminished progressively with better health care in Western societies, the situation has changed little in many developing countries. Fistulae of pelvic organs, often monstrous defects, still are a major complication of child-birth causing misery to uncounted young women, and if they cannot find help in one of the very few hospitals with trained specialists, they became urological cripples losing everything: family, home and job. The magnitude of the problem is illustrated by some figures given by Reginald and Catherine Hamlin-about 700 fistula patients treated each year-a total of over 10,000 cases operated upon in their fistula hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethio pia. Most of these injuries could be prevented by better health care at the village level as some studies have shown conclusively. The incidence of fistula is an indicator of the standard of health and obstetrical care. The author of this book-Obstetric Fistula-is an internationally known Australian gynaecologist who for many years has been interested in all aspects of gynaecological urology, especially urinary stress inconti nence, other forms of involuntary loss of urine, and associated gynaeco logical conditions. He has devised a number of new operations to treat pelvic defects. Robert Zacharin's interest in obstetric fistula was a con sequence of his surgical activity in developing countries.

The tragedy of Queen Henhenit -- The human obstetrical dilemma and its consequences -- The conquest of obstructed labor -- Dr. Sims finds a cure -- Structural violence and obstetric fistula : the Hausa case -- Deadly delays : deciding to seek care -- Deadly delays : getting to a place of care -- Deadly delays : receiving care -- Compassion, respect, and justice -- Hamlin fistula : a vision realized -- Epilogue : lessons learned and the way forward

Essential Surgery is part of a nine volume series for Disease Control Priorities which focuses on health interventions intended to reduce morbidity and mortality. The Essential Surgery volume focuses on four key aspects including global financial responsibility, emergency procedures, essential services organization and cost analysis.

This practical manual has three main objectives: to draw attention to the urgent issue of obstetric fistula; provide background information along with principles for developing fistula prevention and treatment strategies and programmes; and contribute to the development of more effective services for women under treatment for fistula repair.

Traces the horror of obstetric fistula—a condition that has been largely forgotten in the developed world—and lays out a plan for its eradication. Millions of women suffer from obstetric fistula, a catastrophic childbirth complication that exists today mainly in the world’s poorest countries. Fistulas are created by the prolonged pressure of the fetal head in the birth canal during obstructed labor, which grievously injures a woman’s bladder, leaving her incontinent. With a fistula, a woman’s life revolves around futile attempts to control her condition and the stigma associated with it. Abandoned by their loved ones, ostracized from their communities, and cut off from modern surgical care, which can repair fistulas and return patients to full health, these women suffer wretchedly. Based on over 20 years of personal experience with fistula patients in multiple African countries, Dr. L. Lewis Wall’s Tears for My Sisters describes the ancient history of obstetric fistula, tracing it as far back as ancient Egypt. An expert in repairing obstetric fistula, Dr. Wall explains how these injuries occur and how Western medicine developed the technical capacity to overcome obstructed labor and repair fistulas. Arguing that obstetric fistula results from a general disregard for women’s human rights and reproductive health around the globe, he lays bare the obstacles that poor women face in getting emergency obstetric care. Finally, he presents a solution to this problem based on the inspiring story of Drs. Reginald and Catherine Hamlin, who created a hospital system in Ethiopia to care for fistula patients, improve health care, and eradicate these injuries. Providing these women with a much-needed voice, this compassionate book is the first to tell the comprehensive story of this tragic but preventable condition. It is compelling reading for everyone interested in women’s health, reproductive rights, the history of medicine, and social justice.

Introduction: Obstetric fistula is the presence of an opening between a woman’s genital tract and urinary tract or between the genital tract and the rectum due to untreated obstructed labor or iatrogenic causes. This disease is characterized by the leakage of the urine and/or stools through the vagina. Objective: The general objective of this need assessment is to contribute in decreasing the obstetric fistula related morbidity Nepal by providing strong information that could help in struggle against Obstetric Fistula related morbidity. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 4 health sites in the Republic of Nepal between, November 1rst 2011 and December 16th 2011. Data were collected on the prevention, the management, the social reintegration, the training and the research related obstetric fistula. Standard assessment tool, structured questionnaire for health workers and patient’s interview were used. We have also performed a literature review on obstetric fistula in Nepal. Results: With the MMR of 281/100,000 live birth, it is estimated that there is 200 to 400 new cases of OF in Nepal each year leading to the overall 4300 prevalent cases. Our assessment shows that, obstetric fistula surgery is practiced in three sites with information verifiable on the registers and files. One fourth site is willing to be really involved in struggle against OF. None of the site is dealing with the five pillar of obstetric fistula. Two of three sites have OF surgery in permanent base while one site actually proceeds by camps. Even where surgery is practiced, there is still a need for training, nursing and surgical technical protocol related to obstetric fistula. Struggle against obstetric fistula is not really coordinated at the country and regional level. Conclusion and recommendations: We recommend elaborating a national strategy of struggle against the obstetric fistulas, to elaborate protocols for care, training tools; organize the struggle against obstetric fistula while founding on the five pillars that are the prevention, management, reintegration, training and operational research. While dealing with the national strategy, it is urgent to empower the facilities really involved in OF surgery and the one committed to start the program.

This book applies a multi-disciplinary lens to examine obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury that results from prolonged, obstructed labor. While obstetric fistula can be prevented with emergency obstetric care, it continues to occur primarily in resource-limited settings. In this volume, specialists in the anthropological, psychological, public health, and biomedical disciplines, as well as health policy experts and representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations discuss a scoping overview on obstetric fistula, including prevention, treatment, and reducing stigma for survivors. This comprehensive resource is useful in understanding the risk factors, epidemiology, and social, psychological, and medical effects of obstetric fistula. Topics explored include: A Human Rights Approach Toward Eradicating Obstetric Fistula Obstetric Fistula: A Case of Miscommunication – Social Experiences of Women with Obstetric Fistula Classification of Female Genital Tract Fistulas Training and Capacity-Building in the Provision of Fistula Treatment Services Designing Preventive Strategies for Obstetric Fistula Sexual Function in Women with Obstetric Fistula Social and Reproductive Health of Women After Obstetric Fistula Repair Making the Case for Holistic Fistula Care Addressing Mental Health in Obstetric Fistula Patients Physical Therapy for Women with Obstetric Fistula A Multidisciplinary Approach to Obstetric Fistula in Africa is designed for professional use by NGOs, international aid organizations, governmental and multilateral agencies, healthcare providers, public health specialists, anthropologists, and others who aim to improve maternal health across the globe. Although the book’s geographic focus is Africa, it may serve as a useful resource for individuals who aim to address obstetric fistula in other settings. The book may also be used as an educational tool in courses/programs that focus on Global Health, Maternal and Child Health, Epidemiology, Medical Anthropology, Gender/Women's Studies, Obstetrics, Global Medicine, Nursing, and Midwifery.