Health seeking behaviors of women living with obstetric fistula in Zimbabwe: A qualitative cross sectional study

Abstract

ABSTRACT A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interview guides at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital, Zimbabwe to explore and understand health-seeking behaviors of women affected by obstetric fistula and to determine reasons why women lived with fistula. Study participants were women who had come for fistula repair between November and December 2019, who consented to participate in the study. In-depth interviews were conducted and analyzed using NVivo 10. Of the 29 women who came for the camp, 21 were enrolled. Mean period with fistula was 4.7 years (SD±12). Participants sought help from spiritual healers first before medical treatment but all sought medical care at one time during or after delivery. Reasons for staying with fistula included lack of knowledge of availability of repair services, lack of resources, and powerlessness in decision making. This study concluded that barriers to access should be addressed so that women get the treatment they require.