| dc.description.abstract |
Obstetric fistula is a maternal morbidity creating devastating health problems for the women who are affected. Continuous and uncontrollable leaking of urine or faeces from the vagina can lead to life changing stigmatization for women in third world countries. This study examined and identifies the determinants of obstetric fistula in Ethiopia based on the Ethiopian demographic and health survey(EDHS, 2005)data conducted by Central Statistical Agency (CSA).The survey collected information on a total of 14,070 women were interviewed face to face on their background characteristics as well as reproductive health issues, out of which 3178 women were complete measurements and considered in this study. In order to meet our objective descriptive, multiple logistic regression and multilevel logistic regression statistical techniques were used for data analysis using demographic, socio-economic, health and environmental related variables as explanatory variable and status of obstetric fistula as response variable. The results of multiple logistic regression showed that geographical region, place of residence, educational status, age at first birth, age at first marriage, employment status, place of delivery and follow up of antenatal care during pregnancy are a significant determinant factors of obstetric fistula in Ethiopia. The results of multilevel logistic regression analysis showed that the random intercept and fixed coefficient model provided the best fit for the data under consideration. The variance of the random component related to the intercept term was found to be statistically significant implying differences in prevalence of obstetric fistula among the regions. It also found that place of residence, educational status, age at first birth, age at first marriage, employment status, place of delivery and follow up of antenatal care were significant determinant factors of variations of prevalence of obstetric fistula among regions. However, the significant predictors did not show underlying variation from region to region. Integrated women health intervention programs including provisions of antenatal care during pregnancy, access to delivery at health facility, awareness to risk of early marriage and early pregnancy have to be strongly implemented in order to reduce the high incidence of obstetric fistula. |
|