Ayalew Wassie, Yohannes Ayanew, Mogess Muluneh, Mahlet Adem and Mebrtu Zemene
Background: Obstetric fistula remains a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia, with severe physical, psychological, and social consequences. Limited knowledge of obstetric fistula contributes to its persistence. In the Amhara region, particularly in Gondar town, there is limited data available on knowledge of women about fistula and previous studies were conducted on prevalence of fistula. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the factors affecting women’s knowledge of obstetric fistula and its risk factors. The goal of this study is to develop effective awareness campaigns and educational interventions about fistula to women through sexual and reproductive health education and media exposure, ultimately aiming to reduce the incidence of this debilitating condition.
Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 413 women using systematic random sampling. Data were collected via Kobo Collect v4.2, and descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed using STATA 14.1.
Results: Women who had previously given birth (AOR = 4.3; 95% CI: 1.8–9.7), used contraceptives (AOR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.6–6.2), had access to transportation (AOR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.4–4.2), or were exposed to reproductive health information through media (AOR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.9–7.4) were more likely to have good knowledge of obstetric fistula. Conversely, circumcised women (AOR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.14–0.44) and those unable to read or write (AOR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.07–0.70) were less knowledgeable.
Conclusion: Knowledge of obstetric fistula among pregnant women is low. Enhancing family planning services, improving transportation, promoting media-based health education, addressing educational barriers, and discouraging harmful traditional practices are essential. Zonal and woreda health bureaus should lead these interventions.