Background: obstetric fistula is the presence of a hole between a woman’s genital tract and either the urinary (vesicogenital fistula) or the intestinal tract (Rectovaginal fistula) caused by prolonged obstructed labour and delay in seeking emergency obstetric care after delivery. Women face great risks in pregnancy and childbirth, especially in developing countries where women lack knowledge and there are very few skilled birth attendants and negligible government investments in maternal health programs. As a result, obstetric fistula, a potentially fatal but preventable and treatable condition, affects some 3 million women and girls globally.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge on the risk factors, presentation and preventions of obstetric fistula among the pregnant women at Makongoro Health Centre. This knowledge can be used in strengthening the preventive strategy both at the health facility and at the community level.
Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study employing quantitative method was employed to assess the level of knowledge on risk factors, presentation and prevention of obstetric fistula among pregnant women at Makongoro Health Centre. A total of 180 pregnant women from the hospital were included in this study using probability, simple random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS.
Results: A total of 180 pregnant women were enrolled in a study. From the assessment done 66.5% of respondents reported having not heard of obstetric fistula, only 25% of the respondents gave the correct definition as an abnormal passage between epithelial surfaces, usually connecting the cavity of one organ to another or a cavity with the surface of the body, only 27.3% said they knew the signs and symptoms, 34.8% of the women agreed that an obstetric fistula is God’s plan, 65.5% agreed that campaigns against fistula should be public, 54.0% agreed that witchcraft is a risk factor of obstetric fistula and 58.7% did not know if obstetric is preventable with 41.3% think obstetric fistula can be prevented by health facility delivery and antenatal attendance with following health workers instructions; the main preventive measures mentioned by most respondents at 78.2% and 75.2% respectively.
Conclusion: There was general poor knowledge as far as obstetric is concern. Hence, providing knowledge can change the community beliefs and the practices on prevention of obstetric fistula therefore, the researchers recommend increased level of the sensitization throughout the country in different languages to enhance knowledge on obstetric fistula and related topics.