AWARENESS AND PRACTICE MEASURES OF OBSTETRIC FISTULA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC AT ADEOYO MATERNITY TEACHING HOSPITAL IN IBADAN.
Background: An obstetric fistula is a direct abnormal communication between the vagina and the bladder (VVF) and/or between the vaginal and the rectum (RVF). It is usually associated with obstructed or prolonged labour. Of all the morbid conditions that can affect a woman in labour, obstetric fistula is the most devitalizing and devastating. Prevention of obstetric fistulas through safe motherhood practices, emergency obstetric care, and referral are essential steps in making a difference in the condition in Nigeria. Hence, this study assessed the awareness of risk factors, prevention, and practice of preventive measures for obstetric fistulas among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Ibadan.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. A simple random sampling technique by balloting was used to select the sample size of 200. A validated questionnaire (r = 0.8) was used to collect data on awareness and practice measures of prevention of obstetric fistula among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital in Ibadan. Descriptive statistics of frequency, percentage, mean, and S.D. were used to analyze the data.
Results: The mean age of the women was 32.05 ± 1.87. Most (98.5%) were married, Yoruba (96.5%). Many (53%) of the respondents were not aware of obstetric fistulas. There was a moderate level of awareness of risk factors for obstetric fistula (𝑋̅= 15.23), a, high level of awareness of prevention of obstetric fistula (= 15.73), and moderate level of practice of preventive measures against obstetric fistula (̅̅𝑋̅=14.01) among the women.
Conclusion: Findings from the study have shown that there is a low level of awareness of obstetric fistula, a moderate level of awareness of its risk factors, and moderate practice of preventive measures for obstetric fistula. Hence, there is a need for emphasis on education on obstetric fistulas, which should be implemented by health care professionals during ANC visits and in public.