The reintegration of obstetric fistula survivors in Malawi: Perspectives of healthcare providers.

OBJECTIVE: In Malawi, women face a high risk of obstetric fistulas. There are many socio-cultural implications for women suffering from the condition, many of which continue to affect them even after they have undergone treatment and attempt to reintegrate into their lives. The focus of this study was to explore the socio-cultural factors that influence the reintegration of obstetric fistula survivors in Malawi from the perspectives of healthcare providers. DESIGN: This qualitative study was conducted at a hospital in Central Malawi, which houses a non-governmental organization (NGO) that is wholly dedicated to the treatment and reintegration of obstetric fistula patients and survivors. In total, in-depth interviews was conducted with 15 healthcare providers. FINDINGS: After surgery, survivors are given economic and social empowerment assistance to allow them to gain independence from their families. Counselling interventions help patients overcome their isolation and depression so they may begin to interact with others. In some circumstances, the initial surgeries may be unsuccessful, causing anxiety and doubt among the women. Some survivors no longer desired to bear children in the future, which negatively impacted their marriages and social status. KEY CONCLUSION: It is imperative to overcome the socio-cultural beliefs that impact the treatment of obstetric fistula. The perspectives of healthcare providers involved in obstetric fistula treatment can assist policy makers to conceptualize and implement effective policies and programmes that will improve the quality of care offered to obstetric fistula survivors after their treatment. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICES: These first-hand experiences and knowledge of healthcare providers are significant in identifying challenges and barriers that fistula survivors encounter during the reintegration process.

Diagnostic accuracy of semiquantitative point of care urine albumin to creatinine ratio and urine dipstick analysis in a primary care resource limited setting in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is predicted to rise over the next few decades. In resource-limited settings access to central laboratory services is limited. Point-of-care (POC) urine dipstick testing offers the potential to detect markers of kidney damage (albuminuria) as well as markers of other disease processes. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the semi-quantitative albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) Sysmex UC-1000 POC urine dipstick system as well as the extent of other abnormal dipstick findings in urine. METHODS: 700 participants from a rural area in South Africa were screened for albuminuria. A spot urine sample was used to measure POC and central laboratory ACR. We determined the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the POC ACR, and recorded dipstick parameters. RESULTS: The prevalence of albuminuria was 11.6% (95%CI; 9.3-14.2). Those with albuminuria had higher mean diastolic (82 vs 79 mmHg, p = 0.019) and systolic (133 vs 128 mmHg, p = 0.002) blood pressures and a higher proportion of diabetes mellitus (17.6 vs 4.9%, p < 0.001). The sensitivity of the POC ACR system was 0.79, specificity 0.84, positive predictive value 0.39 and negative predictive value 0.97. The sensitivity improved to 0.80, 0.85, 0.85 and 0.89 in those with elevated blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, HIV positive status, and those 65 years and older, respectively. Abnormalities other than albuminuria were detected in 240 (34.3%) of the samples; 88 (12.6%) were positive for haematuria, 113 (16.1%) for leucocytes, 66 (9.4%) for nitrites and 27 (3.9%) for glycosuria. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that POC ACR has good negative predictive value and could be used to rule out albuminuria when screening for CKD. Additionally, a high proportion of participants had other urine abnormalities detected with dipsticks which may reflect kidney disease or co-morbid untreated genitourinary pathology such as urinary tract infections or endemic schistosomiasis with important implications for CKD.

Factors that impact the timely treatment of obstetric fistulas in Malawi: The perspective of health care providers.

BACKGROUND: In sub-Saharan African countries, women face a high risk of obstetric fistulas. In Malawi, the prevalence rate is 1 per 1000 women. Studies suggest that several obstacles exist that prevent obstetric fistula patients from getting timely treatment for their condition. AIM: The aim of this article was to find out the factors that delay the timely treatment of obstetric fistula patients at Malawian hospitals. SETTING: The study was conducted at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, a referral hospital, situated in Blantyre, Malawi, and the findings have been generalised to all the hospitals in Malawi. METHODS: An exploratory case study, employing key interview questions, was used to provide insights into why there are delays in providing treatment and care for fistula patients. Purposive sampling technique was used to identify study respondents. Key informant interviews were conducted with 16 health care personnel at a hospital in Malawi. RESULTS: The presence of numerous cases of complicated obstetric fistula cases overwhelms the health care system in Malawi. In addition, the severe shortage of staff, lack of obstetric fistula surgery training, low staff morale, inadequate infrastructure or equipment and water scarcity in the city of Blantyre contribute towards delayed treatment of fistulas at the hospitals. CONCLUSION: The presence of numerous cases of obstetric fistulas is overwhelming health services, and hence there is a need for devising and implementing health policies that will motivate Malawian health personnel to undertake obstetric fistula surgery and care.

Factors that impact the timely treatment of obstetric fistulas in Malawi: The perspective of health care providers

Background: In sub-Saharan African countries, women face a high risk of obstetric fistulas. In Malawi, the prevalence rate is 1 per 1000 women. Studies suggest that several obstacles exist that prevent obstetric fistula patients from getting timely treatment for their condition. Aim: The aim of this article was to find out the factors that delay the timely treatment of obstetric fistula patients at Malawian hospitals. Setting: The study was conducted at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, a referral hospital, situated in Blantyre, Malawi, and the findings have been generalised to all the hospitals in Malawi. Methods: An exploratory case study, employing key interview questions, was used to provide insights into why there are delays in providing treatment and care for fistula patients. Purposive sampling technique was used to identify study respondents. Key informant interviews were conducted with 16 health care personnel at a hospital in Malawi. Results: The presence of numerous cases of complicated obstetric fistula cases overwhelms the health care system in Malawi. In addition, the severe shortage of staff, lack of obstetric fistula surgery training, low staff morale, inadequate infrastructure or equipment and water scarcity in the city of Blantyre contribute towards delayed treatment of fistulas at the hospitals. Conclusion: The presence of numerous cases of obstetric fistulas is overwhelming health services, and hence there is a need for devising and implementing health policies that will motivate Malawian health personnel to undertake obstetric fistula surgery and care