[Psycho-social and economic reintegration of women operated for urogenital fistula].

OBJECTIVE

To study the psycho-social and economic reintegration of women operated for genital fistula in Congo.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

This was a descriptive observational study conducted in Brazzaville and Ewo, Republic of Congo, from April 1 to October 31, 2018. It included patients operated for genital fistula between 2008 and 2017. Variables of interest were socio-demographic, reproductive and clinical characteristics. The analysis was performed using the SPSS 20 software.

RESULTS

The overall, 34 patients were studied, with age ranging from 29 to 65 years old with a median of 43 (39, 50) year. The context of fistula occurrence was obstetrical in 24 women (70%). The Practice of an income-generating activity before, during and after fistula was 76%; 32% and 64% (P=0.0007). Concerning the psychological status, in these women, self-esteem went from 26% to 73% (P=0.0003) and the prevalence of suicidal thoughts went from 29% before fistula treatment to 0% after (P=0.0009). The tendency to isolate themselves went from 44% before fistula cure to 3% after (P=0.00008). With regards to reproductive life, 54% of women had no desire for maternity and 17% did not have a desire of sexual intercourse. Only 26% of women benefited from the psychologist. Support.

CONCLUSION

In this series, we observed a resumption of income-generating activities in women operated for a treatment of urogenital fistula and a psychological recovery with an increase in self-esteem and a decrease in suicidal thoughts.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.