Gynecology & Obstetrics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0932
ISSN: 2161-0932
Sibhatu Biadgilign, Yihunie Lakew, Ayalu A Reda and Kebede Deribe
Accepted Abstracts: Gynecol Obstet (Sunnyvale)
Obstetric Fistula (OF) remains a major public health problem in areas where unattended obstructed labor is common and maternal mortality is high. Only few studies have described the prevalence and factors associated with Obstetric Fistula in Ethiopia in population-based surveys. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence and factors associated with Obstetric Fistula in Ethiopia. The study used women�s dataset from the 2005 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. The survey sample was designed to provide national, urban/rural, and regional representative estimates of key health and demographic indicators. The sample was selected using a two-stage stratified sampling process. A total of 14,070 women of reproductive age group were included in the survey. Among women who ever given birth (9,713), some 103 (1.06%, 95% CI; 0.89%-1.31%) experienced obstetric fistula in their lifetime, which means 10.6 per 1000 women who ever gave birth.It is estimated that in Ethiopia nearly 142,387 (95% CI: 115,080-169,694) of obstetric fistula patients exist. In the logistic regression model women from rural areas were less likely to report obstetric fistula than their urban counterparts (OR=0.21, 95% CI: 0.06-0.69). Women who gave birth 10 or more had higher odds of developing obstetric fistula than women with 1-4 child (OR=4.34; 95% CI; 1.29-14.55).Obstetric fistula is a major public and reproductive health concern in Ethiopia. This calls for increased access to emergency obstetric care, expansion of fistula repair service and active finding of women with OF with campaigns of ending fistula is recommended.
Sibhatu Biadgilign has completed his MPH in Epidemiology from Jimma University, Ethiopia. Currently he is attending a post graduate program in Human Nutrition and Rural Development in Ghent University, Belgium. He was formerly working as a Regional Advisor for ART/TB/HIV program, Public Health Consultant and Deputy Health Director for various organizations. His research interests focus on child survival and reproductive health. He has a multiple publications (50) in wide array of public health area.