Coping strategies of women with obstetric fistula in the Northern Region of Ghana

Obstetric fistula is a condition where women leak urine or faeces without control due to a hole created between where babies are born through and where urine or feces are stored. Incontinence of urine and feces is one major challenge facing women with obstetric fistula. The study assessed the coping strategies of women with obstetric fistula in the Northern Region of Ghana. The qualitative descriptive phenomenology study recruited 15 women with obstetric fistula through purposive sampling technique. Semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data through face-to-face interviews. The consents of participants were sought, and interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded and analyzed manually using Colaizi’s thematic content analysis method. Using chamber pots as seats or chairs, wearing many clothes, use of rugs, pampers, or sanitary pads, avoiding bulky foods, use of perfumes or detergents, and frequently bathing and washing clothes were found coping strategies of women with obstetrics fistula. Also, control for incontinence, noise during walking and elimination of odor were found as justification for the use of the coping strategies. In addition, parents and siblings, health workers, neighbours and friends were the main source of support for living with incontinence while skin rashes, itching pain, fear, anxiety and grief were the physical and psychological effects of living with incontinence. Coping strategies including use of chamber pots as seats, wearing of many clothes, use of rugs and pampers, avoiding bulky foods, frequent bathing and washing were employed by women with obstetric fistula to manage incontinence of urine and feces. Support of parents, siblings, health workers, neighbours and friends played a significant role in their daily lives. Despite these efforts, women with obstetric fistula experience physical and psychological effects include skin rashes, pain, fear and grief highlighting the adverse impact of obstetric fistula on the general well-being of women.