Knowledge of obstetrical fistula and its associated factors among reproductive age women in Ejere Woreda, West Shewa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia: a community-based study

Daba Kejela¹Teklemariam Gultie²Anteneh Dira³Abel Tibebu Goshu⁴Getahun Tiruye^5*

• ¹Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• ²College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region, Ethiopia
• ³Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
• ⁴Menelik II Medical and Health Science College, Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• ⁵Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia

Introduction: Obstetric fistula is a serious and tragic childbirth injury that mainly affects women in areas with limited resources, often leading to social isolation and stigma. While optimal knowledge among women about prevention, contributing factors, and available treatments for obstetric fistula is crucial to reducing its overall burden, many women in Ethiopia continue to be affected and endure its consequences because of a persistent knowledge gap. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of obstetric fistula and its associated factors among women of reproductive age in Ejere Woreda, West Shewa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among reproductive-age women in Ejere Woreda, West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia from June 1-30, 2024. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to recruiting 770 participants. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire, which was then coded and analyzed with SPSS version 27. Variables with a p-value <0.25 in bivariate logistic regression were included in a multivariable logistic regression to identify significant predictors of women's knowledge about obstetric fistula, with a significance threshold set at p <0.05, at a 95% confidence interval was used to determine statistically significant associations.The study found that 46.6% (95% CI: 43.1-50.3) of women had good knowledge about obstetric fistula. Being an urban resident (AOR=4.12, 95% CI: 2.36-7.19), access to TV/Radio at home (AOR=2.51, 95% CI: 1.19-5.25), proximity to health facilities (AOR=4.88, 95% CI: 2.37-10.04), giving birth at health institutions (AOR=4.62, 95% CI: 2.56-8.33), attending pregnant women's conferences (AOR=3.42, 95% CI: 1.88-6.22), and a history of modern contraceptive use (AOR=4.82, 95% CI: 2.77-8.37) were significantly associated with the knowledge level of obstetric fistula.nearly one in two childbearing women are knowledgeable about obstetric fistula. The study underscores the need to address the urban-rural disparity in healthcare access and information, enhancing media access and promoting women's participation in pregnancy conferences to enhance knowledge of obstetric fistula.