ArticleBMJ open2023
Health-seeking experiences of women with obstetric fistula: a qualitative study at two fistula centres in Ghana.
Article in BMJ open, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed, 8 citations in OpenAlex.
- Socio-medical consequences of living with obstetric fistula: a phenomenological study of the lived experiences of women in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2026Article
- From stigma to strength: voices of women in Malawi after obstetric fistula repair.Tropical medicine and health · 2026Article
- Intersecting stigma, social exclusion and coping mechanisms among women living with obstetric fistula in rural northern Ghana: a qualitative study.Frontiers in reproductive health · 2026Article
- I feel like an outcast!: qualitative exploration on barriers to seek care among women with obstetric fistula in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.Reproductive health · 2025Article
- Pregnancy outcomes following surgical repair of female genital fistula in Uganda.AJOG global reports · 2025Article
- Barriers and facilitators for treatment-seeking among women with genital fistula: a facility-based qualitative study in Bangladesh.Tropical medicine and health · 2025Article
- Knowledge of obstetric fistula and contributing factors among reproductive-age women in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.AJOG global reports · 2025Article
- Article
- Healthcare needs and treatment-seeking patterns of women living with obstetric fistula: a qualitative study in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana.BMJ public health · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesThe study explored the health-seeking experiences of women with obstetric fistula from the onset of the condition until surgical treatment was obtained. It also describes their interactions with health staff and traditional healers.
designExploratory, descriptive qualitative study.
settingTwo secondary-level health facilities in the northern and central regions of Ghana; data collection took place in 2018-2019.
participantsA purposive sample of 37 women who had experienced fistula resulting from childbirth and were awaiting fistula repair at the two fistula centres in Ghana was obtained. DATA ANALYSIS: Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.
resultsHealth-seeking experiences and behaviours of women with obstetric fistula were identified. Six major themes were generated: attribution and perceptions of fistula; competing alternatives/multiple sources of care; limited awareness and access to care; financial barriers; psychosocial challenges, and abuse by healers. The results indicate that the health-seeking experiences of women with obstetric fistula were characterised by long delays in care-seeking. The major themes and subthemes are presented with quotes from participants.
conclusionThe women experienced winding pathways of treatment-seeking due to lack of awareness and incorrect attribution. The major barriers to health-seeking included poverty, challenges with transportation and inadequate repair centres. Increased awareness of obstetric fistula and access to repair centres could shorten the suffering women go through while awaiting fistula treatment. Improved awareness of obstetric fistula and establishment of more fistula centres would be beneficial.
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