The Burden of Obstetric Fistula: Characteristics of Women admitted and the Gaps in Preventing and Treating Obstetric Fistula in Three Regional Referral Hospitals in South Sudan
[wpfilebase tag=file id=7 /] By Machuor Daniel Arok, Joseph Atem Dut, Apin Deng Aher and Lual Lual Ashor ABSTRACT This study was undertaken with the overall goal to increase knowledge and understanding among stakeholders on the prevalence of obstetric fistula, including existing gaps in preventing and treating obstetric fistula in South Sudan. “Obstetric fistula occurs as a result of a prolonged and obstructed labour. The pressure caused by the obstructed labour damages the tissue of the internal passages of the bladder and/ or rectum and with no access to surgical intervention, the woman can be left permanently incontinent, unable to hold urine or faeces, which leak out through her vagina”[24]. The study was conducted between April 1st and June 30th 2014, backed by a kiva review. It was a retrospective cross-sectional study, both qualitative and quantitative in nature. Data was collected from theatre records and admission sheets for […]