COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF MIDWIFERY

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