• Rokeya Begum
• Salina Akter
• Dr. Md. Manjur Hossain

A study at community level on some VVF patients was conducted to assess and identify the social risk factors related to obstetric fistula. About 54% of the respondents developed VVF as an outcome of their first pregnancy and none of them had a living child, and 39% fell in the age group 15-20 years. The same study revealed that about 68% were illiterate and 22% had received formal education up to 5 years. 52% of respondents had a family income up to Tk. 1000/ only. Almost all respondents were Muslims (94.7%). 64.6% of respondents had a home delivery assisted by TBA and 72% had a history of prolonged labor. Fifty six percent of respondents did not feel comfortable using the health facilities of the nearby health clinic/hospital because of lack of privacy, objection from husband/family, and because of deliveries were carried out by male doctors. Unsympathetic attitudes of husband and in-laws, expressed willingness of husband for taking another wife, disturbed socio-psycho-sexual life and deterioration of general health were the highlights of morbidity at individual, conjugal and community levels of the respondents. Gender imbalances, traditional beliefs and misconceptions all results in additional risk factors for obstetric fistula in Bangladesh. Low literacy levels, especially among women in rural areas, continue to perpetuate misconceptions and superstition. Women in general are not recognized as equal partners in relationships and marriages and there is still an expectation that women will have children because it is their duty rather than their choice or desire. As a result, women affected by obstetric fistula tend to remain invisible and the silence that surrounds their suffering is an additional burden that increases their difficulties at individual level as well as in their relationships with their partners, husbands, families and communities. Since men are often responsible for decision-making and seeking funds for transport to the hospital, promoting the involvement of men (especially potential fathers) as well as religious and community leaders – is a crucial strategy to widening access to emergency obstetric care. The literature reviewed did not address the issue of involving men from adolescence. However, efforts to sensitize men to reproductive health issues should begin long before they get to the age of marriage, and therefore it is very important to strengthen efforts to reach adolescent boys in order to influence their perceptions and behaviors with regard to reproductive health matters. This is particularly important in order to address potential cultural barriers to responsible and supportive behavior. For example, in many areas of Bangladesh there is still a lingering belief that a woman’s unfaithfulness to her husband is responsible for a difficult labor. This misconception often continues to negatively influence men’s decision to transport their wives to an emergency obstetric care facility. From the literature review a brief overview of fistula can be sketched and it shows the linkage between the low socio-economic status of women and obstetric fistula.

Obstetric Fistula, Preventable, Treatable, Risk Factors, Morbidity, Mortality

"Obstetric Fistula is a Preventable and Treatable: Bangladesh Perspectives", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.7, Issue 10, page no.1490-1500, October-2020, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2010190.pdf

"Obstetric Fistula is a Preventable and Treatable: Bangladesh Perspectives", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.7, Issue 10, page no. pp1490-1500, October-2020, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2010190.pdf