Assessment of Obstetric Fistula and Factors Associated among Women admitted to Jimma Medical Center, South West Ethiopia

Background: Obstetric fistula is an injury that occurs during prolonged and obstructed labor causing tissue damage to organs inside the pelvis and result in urine and Fecal incontinence or both. It remains a major public health problem in areas where unattended obstructed labor is common. Methods: An institutional based cross sectional study design was used from February 1 to March 30-2016 to assess obstetric fistula and its associated factors among women. Convenient sampling technique was used for total sample size. Data was collected using structured interviewed questionnaire by 3 trained data collectors. Descriptive statistics was computed to summarize the data. Result: The total of 62 women was admitted to JUSTH gynecology ward from Feb-Apr 2013. Out of the total respondent 90.32% were developed Vesicovaginal fistula, 22.25% were developed Rectovaginal fistula and 3.2% were developed Recto-vesicovaginal fistula. Majority of the respondents were from the rural area and 50% were in age group 20-24. 66.12% of the respondents had no regular antenatal care follow-up. Among the respondents 87.09% were primiparous. About 56.45% of the cases were caused by obstructed labor and 22.58% were caused prolonged labor. Conclusion: Generally, prevention is better than cure. Preventing and managing fistula will contribute to achieving improving maternal and child health.