A comparison of quality of life of obstetric fistula survivors in Zimbabwe before and after surgical treatment

Abstract

Background: In Zimbabwe, repair of obstetric fistula was established as a public health intervention in 2015. The aim of this study was to assess the quality life of obstetric fistula survivors before and after surgical repair of the fistula. Methods: A longitudinal, before and after cohort study was conducted using the WHOQOL-BREF tool to assess quality of life before and after surgical treatment of obstetric fistula. The tool assess general health, experience of life in general, physical health, psychological health, social and environmental health. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 for descriptive measures and significance. Results: Of the 29 women who came for obstetric fistula repair at the center in November and December 2019, 26 were enrolled into the study. All participants had transvaginal fistula repair and 24 had successful repair i.e. the fistulas were closed. Two of them still had stress incontinence by the time of data collection. The post treatment mean scores, using the WHOQOL assessment tool, on physical, psychological, social, environmental and general health significantly improved from the pretreatment mean scores. There was no significant change in some facets of the quality of life domains such as financial resources, opportunities for participation in leisure activities and dependence on medicines. Conclusions: This study concluded that surgical treatment of obstetric fistula improves the quality of life of survivors significantly and recommends that untreated fistula survivors be identified and linked to care and treatment.