Data, Indicators & Research
| The available data on obstetric fistula is
insufficient to meet the current policy, advocacy, programme and evaluation
demands. Many research gaps exist,
including in the areas of measuring obstetric fistula prevalence and
effectiveness of social reintegration. A
contributing factor to the research and data constraints is the absence of
standardized indicators that specifically measure obstetric fistula prevention,
treatment, and social reintegration. In response
to the data needs and research gaps, the International Obstetric Fistula
Working Group (IOFWG) works to build consensus and promote data gathering,
indicator development and research. As
part of its commitment to address these issues, the IOFWG formed a thematic
group on Data, Indicators and Research. The
listed resources provide information about work in this area. |
Obstetric Fistula: Guiding principles for clinical management and programme development Posted by Administrator  2006, WHO - A comprehensive review of current consensus and evidence regarding elimination of obstetric fistula. It includes principles for assessing the situation, designing and monitoring national programmes and for providing comprehensive care for women living with fistula.Languages: English
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Developing a Results Framework for the Campaign Posted by Administrator  April 2005, Niamey, Niger, Obstetric Fistula Working Group/UNFPA - The Obstetric Fistula Working Group meet during this first forum focused on results for the Campaign to End Fistula. Over the two days, the group developed a draft results framework for monitoring and evaluation of fistula elimination programmes at the national level. (Note: report includes draft frameworks, including indicators, around prevention, treatment and reintegration) Languages: English, French |
Meeting Reports
Meeting Report, May 2007 Posted by Administrator May 2007, New Delhi, India. Proceedings of the Workshop on Data Methodologies for Estimating Obstetric Fistula - UNFPA and the National Institute of Medical Statistics (NIMS) organized an international workshop on data methodologies for estimating the prevalence of Obstetric Fistula. The meeting was organized following on the outcomes of the Second Asia and Pacific Regional Workshop on Strengthening Fistula Elimination in the Context of Maternal Health. The objectives of the workshop were to review methodologies that have been employed in measuring prevalence of reproductive morbidities in general and obstetric fistula in particular; to discuss issues of sampling and propose appropriate methodologies for measuring fistula prevalence, particularly community based methodologies for countries in the region.Languages: English |
Meeting Report, October 2006 Posted by Administrator  October 2006, Geneva, Switzerland, International Obstetric Fistula Working Group/Data, Indicators & Research Group - The first in-person meeting of the Data, Indicators and Research Group, which took place in Geneva from 11 to 13 October, 2006, brought together over 20 representatives from NGOs, , international organisations and academic and medical institutions. The overall objective of the meeting was to
discuss the ways and means to improve research and data on obstetric fistula, and to decide on concrete action-plans for the group. Languages: English |
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and School of Hygiene and Public Health, United Nations Population Posted by Beverley Kerr Study name:Prognosis, impovements in quality of life, and the social re-integration of women with obstetric fistula after surgical repair Study objective: Two-phase study to improve the qualityof life of obstetric fistula patients through surgical treatment, psycho-social support, rehabilitation services and assistance in social reintegration Study design: Prospective, multi-centric study involving the combined usage of quantitative and qualitative research methods (structured/unstructured survey instruments), surgical treatment/post operative care and clinical evaluation Study period: Two years |
EngenderHealth and USAID Posted by Beverley Kerr Study name:Determinants of post-operative outcomes in fistula repair surgery. A prospective facility-based study Study objective: Primary objective: Determine predictors of complications and success of fistula repair surgery. Secondary objective: Examine socio-structural factors associated with fistula. Details: Proposed study sites in Bangladesh, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda Study design: Observational study with data collected prospectively Study period: June 2007-August 2009 |
Demographic and Health Research, Macro International (USAID-funded) Posted by Beverley Kerr Study name:Service Provision Assessment Study objective: Describe the preparedness of health facilities in the country undertaking the survey to provide quality child, maternal, reproductive health, STI, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS services; Identify gaps in support services, resources, and processes used in providing client services that may affect facilities' capacity to provide quality services. Details: Questions on fistula repair and training for fistula repair have been included in the core SPA questionnaire - every country that conducts a SPA in 1997 or later will include these questions. Study design: Facility-based, nationally representative cross-sectional survey of health facilities and health care providers as well as clients Study period: Variable |
Demographic and Health Research, Macro International (USAID-funded) Posted by Beverley Kerr Study name:Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Study objective: DHS surveys provide data for a wide range of monitoring and impact evaluation indicators in the areas of population, health, and nutrition. Details: A fistula module, covering experience of fistula and treatment, has been developed and may be added to a DHS upon country request Study design: Household-based, nationally representative cross-sectional survey of households and residents age 15-49 (women)/15-54 (men) Study period: Variable. |
African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) Posted by Beverley Kerr Study name:Iatrogenic Fistulas Study objective: To establish the percentage of women with iatrogenic fistulas in comparison with the total number of women with fistulas in East Africa, their history, the cause, the outcome of surgery and the consequences for the medical training programs Details: Appears to be almost 10% Study design: Operational Research Study Period: Ongoing since 1995 |
Women’s Dignity Project, Case Western Reserve University Posted by Beverley Kerr Study name:Experiences with Reintegration after Fistula Repair Study objective: To investigate the social reintegration of women into their communities after repair of obstetric fistula. Study design: Participatory qualitative study based on open-ended interviews and questionnaire for scoring Study period: 2007, Study is in-process |
Women’s Dignity Project, EngenderHealth Posted by Administrator Study name:Obstetric Fistula in Uganda Study objective: To understand the many dimensions of fistula and its related social vulnerability in Tanzania through the experiences and views of girls and women living with fistula as well as their families and communities and the health workers who care for them. Details: Final report due to be completed in 2007 Study design: Participatory study. Data collection instruments included in-depth interviews, group discussions, problem trees, and free-listing and ranking exercises. Study period: 2003-2005 |
Women’s Dignity Project, CARE/Tanzania Posted by Administrator Study name:Barriers to Care: Women and Providers Speak Study objective: To document the barriers that women face in accessing high quality maternal health services, and the barriers health workers face in delivering such care, in order to better understand why women do not deliver in facilities and risk maternal mortality and morbidity. Study design: Participatory, largely interview-based Study period: 2006-2007 |
Demographic and Health Research, Macro International (USAID-funded) Posted by Administrator Study name:Toward an End to Fistula: A Cross-national Analysis Study objective: To provide prevalence estimates (direct and indirect) of fistula symptoms, multivariate analyses of risk factors, and reports on help-seeking behavior. Also uses DHS and SPA data to describe the context for prevention of obstructed labor and fistula (use of contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancy, women's use of prenatal and delivery services, and ability of facilities to perform the 8 signal functions of emergency obstetric care). Study design: A cross-national comparative analysis of data from 6 DHS surveys that have included questions on fistula. Study period: August 2006 - June 2007 |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Posted by Administrator Study name:The Postpartum Interview Study: A cohort study of recently pregnant women and their neonates in the Ifakara Demographic Surveillance Site Study objective: This work will document morbidity and mortality for recently-pregnant women and neonates, and describe care and behaviors during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum periods in a demographic surveillance population in Southeast Tanzania. Details: CDC/DRH is supporting the integration of a postpartum interview into an existing demographic surveillance site (DSS) run by the Ifakara Health Research and Development Centre (IHRDC) in Ifakara, Tanzania. Through the interview, data on care and practices during the antenatal, delivery and postpartum periods will be collected. Results will be fed back to the district and national public health authorities through the IHRDC. They will serve as baseline information for the development of future research agenda and future interventions in the areas of maternal and neonatal health. Study design: Population-based, retrospective cohort study Study period: June 15, 2007 to June 14, 2008 |
