The Impact of Healthcare Access and Education on the Prevalence of Obstetric Fistulas in Underserved Populations
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Authors
Anderson, Megan
Cunningham, Ali
Smith, Abby
Date of Issue
2025-04-25
Type
Presentation
Language
en_US
Subject Keywords
Other Titles
Abstract
Obstetric fistulas are a consequence of prolonged or obstructed labor. They are more prevalent among women in low-income communities with limited access to high-quality healthcare and education. An obstetric fistula is a tear between the birth canal and bladder or rectum. This condition can result in urine and/or fecal incontinence, and in addition to physical symptoms this condition often leads to significant psychological and social challenges such as stigma and depression. While the exact global prevalence is unknown, studies highlight that women in low-income countries, such as Ethiopia, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Kenya, and Afghanistan, are disproportionately affected. To address this issue, our research employs a PICOT question to investigate the link between healthcare access and obstetric fistula incidence in underserved populations. During this research, it was found that women living in countries of low-income such as Ethiopia, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Kenya, and Afghanistan with lower levels of education and resources are significantly less likely to have awareness and prevention of obstetric fistulas. The majority of women in these studies who had obstetric fistulas were of young age and living in rural areas. Reducing stigma surrounding obstetric fistulas through community education, healthcare provider training, and increased access to high-quality healthcare within these communities will reduce the prevalence of obstetric fistulas, a preventable condition.