Predisposing Factors of Patients to Obstetric Fistula in Uganda

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to analyse the consistent predisposing factors of patients to obstetric fistula in Uganda between 2006 and 2011. The other objectives were: to establish whether age of a woman, her level of empowerment, socio economic factors and size of her child at birth are associated with her obstetric fistula (OF) status. The sources of data were the 2006 and 2011 UDHS woman questionnaires focusing on women of child bearing ages (15-49years). Data analysis was done at three levels namely; univariate (distribution), bivariate (cross tabulation), and multivariate (complementary log log model) levels. The univariate analysis revealed that the prevalence of OF in Uganda was 3.5% in 2006 but slightly reduced to 2.1% in 2011. At the bivariate level of analysis; education, residence, region, weight of child at birth and women empowerment were significantly associated with OF status of a woman. At the multivariate level of analysis, there was no consistent predisposing factor of patients to OF in Uganda between 2006 and 2011; the factors which were statistically significant for 2006 changed in 2011. The government of Uganda and the respective policy makers need to massively sensitize the public at large on the causes, signs, symptoms and prevention of OF. The advocates of OF need to encourage more people, organisations and companies to come up with fundraising activities towards free fistula repairs since this condition affects the marginalised women.