Obstetric Fistula Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices among the Professionals of Communication in Yaounde

ABSTRACT Introduction. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated an annual incidence of 50,000–100,000 new cases of obstetric fistula. In Cameroon, it is estimated that about 19,000 women suffer from obstetric fistula. Affected women remain with anatomical, functional and social defects. This study aimed at analyzing knowledge, attitude and practice of professional of communication with regards to obstetric fistula. Methodology. This was a multicentric analytic KAP study conducted in twenty-three medias structures in Yaounde from 10 January to 30 May 2016. Data were collected on knowledge, attitude and practice of communicators towards obstetric fistula. Data were analyzed using Epi Info Version 7.1.4.0. The mean and the frequencies were calculated, odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to quantify the strength of associations. A difference within two group was considered statistically significant if p value ˂ 0,05. Results. Among 101/133 (75.94%) communicators who were informed, only 60/101 (45.11%) had satisfactory knowledge. This knowledge influenced positively the attitudes of public sector communicators towards obstetric fistula (OR=8.3[1.6-41.5]; p value = 0.01). The proportion of satisfactory attitudes of communicators with regards to obstetric fistula was 79/101 (78.22%) and the practices were 19/101 (18.81%). Knowledge and attitude did not influence the practice regardless of the working sector. Conclusion. The management of obstetric fistula in Cameroon suffers from little knowledge, attitude and practice of mass communicators. There is a need better involvement of communicator about challenges about obstetric `fistula RESUME Introduction. L’OMS estime a 50 000 - 100 000 nouveaux cas de fistules obstetricales (FO) par an dans le monde. Au Cameroun on estime que plus de 22 000 femmes souffrent de FO. Cette pathologie est responsable de complications anatomiques, fonctionnelles et sociales. Cette etude visait a analyser les connaissances, attitudes et pratiques des professionnels de la communication vis-a-vis des FO. Methodologie. Il s'agissait d'une etude CAP analytique multicentrique dans vingt-trois structures mediatiques de Yaounde en 2016.  Les moyennes et les frequences ont ete calculees, le rapport de cote (Odds ratio) a ete utilise avec un intervalle de confiance de 95% pour quantifier la force des differentes influences. Une difference entre deux groupes etait consideree comme statistiquement significative si la valeur p etait ˂ 0,05. Resultats. Parmi 101/133 communicateurs qui avaient ete informes seuls 45,11% avaient des connaissances satisfaisantes. Ces connaissances influencaient les communicateurs du secteur public a adopter des attitudes satisfaisantes face aux fistules obstetricales (OR :8,3[1,6-41,5] ; p = 0,01). La proportion des attitudes satisfaisantes des communicateurs face aux fistules obstetricales etait de 78,22% et celle des pratiques etait de 18,81%. Les connaissances n’avaient pas d’influence sur les pratiques quel que soit le secteur de pratique. Conclusion. La prise en charge des fistules obstetricales au Cameroun souffre des limites des connaissances, des attitudes et des pratiques des communicateurs de masse. Ceci justifie la necessite d’impliquer les communicateurs formels dans l’education de la population pour un meilleur relais des messages de prevention et le traitement precoce des fistules obstetricales.