Determinants of obstetric fistula in South-western Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Obstetric fistula, despite improved obstetric care, remains a real threat to poor women in rural Ethiopia. This study aimed to identify the risk factors that predispose women to obstetric fistula in South-western Ethiopia.

METHODS

An unmatched case-control study design was employed in which 48 cases (women with obstetric fistula) and 188 controls (women without obstetric fistula) were included. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and organized using Epidata version 3.1. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis was conducted using SPSS version 20.0. Adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence level, and p-values were used as the main measure of association.

RESULTS

The study revealed that age at pregnancy of < 18 years (AOR = 5, 95% CI = 2-13), residing in rural areas (AOR = 4, 95% CI 1.6-11), lack of antenatal care (AOR = 5, 95% CI 2-14), no history of modern contraception utilization (AOR = 5, 95% CI = 2-13), post-term pregnancy (AOR = 8, 95% CI 3-22), and duration of labor > 24 hours (AOR = 4, 95% CI 2-9) were associated with obstetric fistula.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of fistula survivors were teenagers who were living in rural areas. Mothers having no antenatal care, not using modern contraception, having a post-term pregnancy, and having prolonged labor were at increased risk of developing obstetric fistula. Thus, delaying the age of first pregnancy, improving access to basic obstetric care, and advocating the use of modern contraceptive methods are crucial for teenage women residing in rural areas.