Abstract:
This research paper investigated the causes and effects of obstetric fistula on patients in Hamlin fistula hospital. The objective of this study was to examine the cause and effects of obstetric fistula on patients. The effects investigated include the physical health, social and psychological effects of obstetric fistula. The study was undertaken utilizing in depth interview as a key instrument in data collection.The participants interviewed for this study include 10 obstetric fistula patients in Hamlin and two key informants namely psychiatric nurse and head nurse of the stomach clinic department. Methodologically the research study used qualitative research approach and case study as a research design. The data obtained from participants were analyzed using thematic analysis with transcription and coding being done before hand. The key findings of the research study are: first life events of participant’s especially traumatic life events, local rural traditions, prolonged labor and assistance by traditional midwifer has played an important role in causing their obstetric fistula. Second the physical health problems experienced by the participants differ from person to person depending on the damage they incurred during birth and the amount of time they took to get treatment. Third the social part of participant’s lives was severely affected because of the smell associated with obstetric fistula patients leading to self-isolation or discrimination by society or family members. Fourth the psychological effects of obstetric fistula differ from person to person and its severity is conditioned on how much support the participants either got from their families or communities or how soon they got treatment or counseling from professional mental health professional. Obstetric fistula is a complex condition that affects patients in different ways and different level of severity depending on different social and medical factors. This research study recommends an increase in awareness campaign on the causes and effects of obstetric fistula especially in rural part of Ethiopia and also intervention plan that addresses the multiple problems of obstetric fistula patients. The intervention should also include family members of obstetric fistula patients in order to address the problem in a holistic manner.