Image of Are some women more at risk of obstetric fistula in Uganda? Evidence from the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey

Reproductive Health and Wellness

Are some women more at risk of obstetric fistula in Uganda? Evidence from the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey

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With only four years left for the Millennium
Development Goal’s 2015 deadline for reducing
poor maternal health outcomes, developing
countries are still bearing a huge burden of
maternal morbidity worldwide. Estimates show
that over 2 million women worldwide are suffering
from obstetric fistula, the majority of
which live in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast
Asia, and the Arab region. The purpose of this
study is to shed a light on obstetric fistula by
examining risk factors associated with this
morbidity in Uganda. Descriptive and multivariate
analyses were conducted using data
from the 2006 Uganda Demographic and
Health Survey. Older age at first sexual intercourse
was significantly associated with a
lower risk of obstetric fistula (OR=0.302) compared
to younger age at first intercourse (7-14
years). Lack of autonomy was negatively associated
with the risk of obstetric fistula; women
who have problems securing permission from
their husband to go seek care (OR=1.658)
were more likely to suffer from this morbidity.
Significant differentials in obstetric fistula
have also been observed based on the region of
residence: women living in Central
(OR=4.923), East Central (OR=3.603), West
Nile (OR=2.049), and Southwest (1.846) more
likely to suffer from obstetric fistula than
women living in North Central. Findings
demonstrate the importance of improving geographical
accessibility to maternal health care
services, and emphasize the need to reinforce
intervention programs, which seek to address
gender inequalities.

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Language
English
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Subject(s)
Uganda
Sub-Saharan Africa
Population-based
Demographic
Obstetric Fistula
Health Survey
Morbidity
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Article
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