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Contraception knowledge and practice among fistula patients at referral centers in Kenya
Author(s) -
Khisa Weston,
Wakasiaka Sabina,
Kagema Francis,
Omoni Grace
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2012.04.018
Subject(s) - referral , medicine , fistula , family planning , family medicine , health care , cohort , reproductive health , population , surgery , environmental health , research methodology , economics , economic growth
Objective To establish knowledge and practice of contraception among patients presenting with a fistula attending fistula care services at 4 centers in Kenya. Methods In a descriptive cohort study carried out between January and December 2011, patients presenting with a history of urine and/or stool leakage were screened and those with confirmed diagnosis of fistula were assessed and prepared for surgery. Informed consent was obtained from study participants before surgical intervention. After surgery, a standard questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographics, duration of leakage, and reproductive health practices. Results A total of 206 patients were interviewed. Most of the patients were young (mean age 22 years). Literacy was low: only 1.7% reported tertiary‐level education, and 56.7% reported primary‐level education. With regard to family planning, 76.2% of patients expressed a willingness to use contraception after fistula repair. Conclusion Among patients presenting with a fistula in Kenya, the unmet need for family planning was high. There is an urgent need for healthcare providers to integrate family planning services in fistula care programs.