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Healthcare providers’ perspectives on the social reintegration of patients after surgical fistula repair in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Author(s) -
YoungLin Nichole,
Namugunga Esperance N.,
Lussy Justin P.,
Benfield Nerys
Publication year - 2015
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.2015.03.023
Subject(s) - medicine , qualitative research , health care , nursing , fistula , democracy , family medicine , surgery , economic growth , sociology , social science , politics , political science , law , economics
Abstract Objective To understand perspectives of local health providers on the social reintegration of patients who have undergone fistula repair in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Methods In a qualitative study, semi‐structured individual interviews were conducted with patient‐care professionals working with women with fistula at HEAL Africa Hospital (Goma) and Panzi Hospital (Bukavu) between June and August 2011. The interviews were transcribed and themes elicited through manual coding. Results Overall, 41 interviews were conducted. Successful surgical repair was reported to be the most important factor contributing to patients’ ability to lead a normal life by all providers. Family acceptance—especially from the husband—was deemed crucial for reintegration by 39 (95%) providers, and 29 (71%) believed this acceptance was more important than the ability to work. Forty (98%) providers felt that, on the basis of African values, future childbearing was key for family acceptance. Because of poor access and the high cost of cesarean deliveries, 28 (68%) providers were concerned about fistula recurrence. Conclusion Providers view postsurgical childbearing as crucial for social reintegration after fistula repair. However, cesarean deliveries are costly and often inaccessible. More work is needed to improve reproductive health access for women after fistula repair.