Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41261833›Full record

ArticleWomen's health (London, England)

Knowledge of obstetric fistula and its associated factors among reproductive age women in North Kivu Province (Democratic Republic of the Congo): A community-based cross-sectional study.

Justin Lussy Paluku, Barthelemy Kasi Aksanti, Cathy Mufungizi Furaha, Benjamin Kambale Kalole, Benjamin Kasereka Kataliko, Eugénie Mukekulu Kamabu, Chrispin Musubao Lwanzo, Olivier Mukuku, Maurice Nyamalyongo Masoda, Jeannot Sihalikyolo Juakali

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Article in Women's health (London, England). The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Justin Lussy PalukuDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.ORCID 0000-0002-1380-9998
Barthelemy Kasi AksantiDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, HEAL Africa Hospital, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Cathy Mufungizi FurahaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Benjamin Kambale KaloleDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, HEAL Africa Hospital, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Benjamin Kasereka KatalikoDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, HEAL Africa Hospital, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Eugénie Mukekulu KamabuDepartment of Internal Medicine, HEAL Africa Hospital, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Chrispin Musubao LwanzoDepartment of Family Medicine, HEAL Africa Hospital, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Olivier MukukuDepartment of Maternal and Child Health, High Institute of Medical Techniques, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.ORCID 0000-0001-6902-7023
Maurice Nyamalyongo MasodaDepartment of Family Medicine, HEAL Africa Hospital, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Jeannot Sihalikyolo JuakaliDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundObstetric fistula (OF) is a severe and debilitating complication of childbirth that primarily affects women in developing countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It results in chronic urinary and/or fecal incontinence, often accompanied by social isolation, stigma, and psychological distress, thereby having a profound negative impact on the quality of life of affected women.

objectivesThis study aims to evaluate the level of awareness and knowledge regarding OF among Congolese women of reproductive age in the North Kivu Province.

designThis is a community-based, cross-sectional study.

methodsA two-stage cluster random sampling method was employed to select a sample of 500 women aged 15-49 years. Data were collected using a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews. The questionnaire gathered information on sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive history, and knowledge of OF. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression to identify factors associated with a good OF knowledge.

resultsThe mean age of respondents was 33.7 ± 10.4 years. Among the 467 surveyed, 22.7% demonstrated good OF knowledge. Urban residence (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 2.8, 95% CI [1.6-4.6];

conclusionThe study revealed that a substantial proportion of women in North Kivu province have limited knowledge about OF. Strengthening awareness and education efforts, particularly in rural settings, is essential to promote early recognition of symptoms and timely care-seeking behavior. Targeted health education programs and community-based interventions are crucial to improving understanding and reducing the burden of this preventable condition. Moreover, identifying the determinants of good OF knowledge can inform the design of more effective prevention and intervention strategies at the elimination of this condition.

Indexed as

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeObstetric Labor ComplicationsVesicovaginal FistulaAdolescentAdultCross-Sectional StudiesDemocratic Republic of the CongoFemaleHumansMiddle AgedPregnancyQuality of LifeRural PopulationSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultDemocratic Republic of the CongoknowledgeNorth Kivuobstetric fistulareproductive age

Identifiers

PMID41261833
PMCPMC12638654

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.