A case–control study of the risk factors for obstetric fistula in Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

Our data indicate that obstetric fistula results from the lack of access to effective obstetrical services when labor is prolonged. Rural poverty and lack of adequate transportation infrastructure are probably important co-factors in inhibiting access to needed care.

Risk factors for obstructed labour in Eastern Uganda: A case control study

“…The exposure factor was the proportion of pregnant women who attended < 4 ANC visits. We enrolled 270 cases and 270 controls based on the following assumptions: two-sided 95% confidence level, power of 95%, ratio 1:1 to detect an odds ratio of at least 2 for the risk of OL among pregnant women who attended < 4 ANC visits as the main exposure variable [16][17][18]. We further assumed that controls were like any other pregnant woman in Uganda who attended at least 4 ANC visits (60%) according to the Uganda demographic and health survey [9].…”

Effect of vaginal scarring on the recovery of surgical repair of obstetric fistula in Northern Ethiopia

“…The sample size was determined using two population proportion formula using Epi Info version 7.2.2.6 software, 14 taking vaginal scar status of obstetric patients as a primary exposure variable and with the assumptions of a two‐sided significance level of α = 5%, power (1 − β ) of 80%, 95% confidence level, and a ratio of nonexposed to exposed ( R ) of 1:1. Accordingly, the sample size was calculated using the percent of exposed (with vaginal scarring) and having the outcome of 73.7%, 5 and the percent of nonexposed (without vaginal scarring) and having the outcome of 90.3% 5 . An adjustment was made for irretrievable patient medical records by taking 15%, then the final sample size required to get a statistically meaningful difference between the two groups was 224.…”

“…Accordingly, the sample size was calculated using the percent of exposed (with vaginal scarring) and having the outcome of 73.7%, 5 and the percent of nonexposed (without vaginal scarring) and having the outcome of 90.3%. 5 An adjustment was made for irretrievable patient medical records by taking 15%, then the final sample size required to get a statistically meaningful difference between the two groups was 224.…”

“…It is estimated that each year 9000 women in Ethiopia develop obstetric fistula and up to 100 000 women are living with untreated fistula. The combination of prolonged and obstructed labor, especially among young, poor, and undernourished women, and lack of skilled birth attendance are the main challenges to obstetric fistula reduction in Ethiopia 5 . Only 4 in 10 women aged 15–49 years have heard of obstetric fistula.…”

“…The combination of prolonged and obstructed labor, especially among young, poor, and undernourished women, and lack of skilled birth attendance are the main challenges to obstetric fistula reduction in Ethiopia. 5 Only 4 in 10 women aged 15-49 years have heard of obstetric fistula. Less than 1% of women report that they have experienced obstetric fistula.…”