Abstract:
Background: Obstetric fistula is a preventable devastating condition that is mostly caused by
obstructed labour. About 22% of obstructed labor is complicated by obstetric fistula. Skilled
birth attendants during delivery are very essential for the prevention of obstetric fistula.
However, little is known about the status of knowledge and practice of obstetric fistula
prevention in Gamo zone.
Objective: To assess knowledge, practice and associated factors of obstetric caregivers on
prevention of obstetric fistula in public health facilities of Gamo zone southwest Ethiopia 2023.
Method: A cross-sectional study was employed among 380 obstetric caregivers in selected
public health facilities of Gamo zone southwest Ethiopia from December 1 to January 30.
Study participants were selected by a simple random sampling technique and data was
collected by using a pre-tested and self-administered questionnaire. The collected data were
coded and entered into Epi-Data version 4.6 computer software and exported to SPSS version
27 for analysis purposes. Bivariable and Multivariable Logistic analyses were applied. The
level of significance was declared at a P-value ≤ 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval.
Results: About 57% [95%CI (53.00-62.00)] of participants had good knowledge and about
55.4% [95%CI (50.00-60.00)] of obstetric caregivers had good practice towards obstetric
fistula prevention. The factors significantly associated with knowledge were service year
[AOR= 3.50, 95% CI= (1.12-6.73)], types of a health facility [AOR=1.99, 95% CI= (1.01
3.92)], age [AOR= 2.38, 95% CI= (1.03-5.49)] and in-service training [AOR= 8.61, 95% CI=
(2.35-9.05)]. In-service training [AOR= 14.86, 95% CI= (12.75-18.73)], Service year [AOR=
5.58, 95% CI= (1.24-10.29)], and knowledge [AOR: 14.24, 95% CI= (6.18-14.34)] were
factors which significantly associated with the practice of obstetric caregivers towards obstetric
fistula prevention.
Conclusion: The knowledge and practice of obstetric caregivers on the prevention of obstetric
fistula was low in public health facilities of Gamo zone. In this study, Practicing at hospital was
a factor significantly associated with the knowledge of obstetric caregivers. Having in-service
training, advanced service year and age were factors significantly associated with knowledge
and practice of obstetric caregivers. Regular in-service training of health professionals can
enhance their knowledge and practice towards obstetric fistula prevention
