Community perceptions of obstetric fistula in Malawi

AbstractIt is well-documented that obstetric fistula, a severe birth injury, is caused by a prolonged obstructed labour that has not been relieved on time. Lay people often understand causation differently. This study sought to explore the awareness and local meanings attached to obstetric fistula in the rural parts of Malawi. We conducted interviews with key informants and focus group discussions with community members in purposively selected communities in the central region of Malawi. We categorised data using Nvivo 10 and conducted a thematic analysis. Findings indicate that there is considerable awareness about fistula in local communities; however, community members have very limited knowledge about its causes. Participants associated obstetric fistula with sexually transmitted diseases, the woman's laziness to push during labour, witchcraft and the husband's infidelity, which contributed to the isolation of the affected women. Strategies to eradicate obstetric fistula in general, and its social con...