Life Experiences on Social and Economic Re-Integration for Fistula Victims Post Repair, Tanzania

Abstract Background Although exact figures on fistula victims differ among countries of sub-Saharan Africa and the Mediterranean yet it is one of the debilitating conditions after delivery, especially in third-world countries. Besides physical conditions that include fecal or urinary incontinence or both plus nerve damage, there are psychological, sociological, and economic consequences that are associated with the condition in which fistula survivors are ostracized and cut off from their friends, relatives, and economic activities engagements deepening them into poverty and loneliness. The author’s field experiences show that most of fistula treatment intervention end up whenever the survivor becomes dry and a significant portion of the intervention focuses on physical well-being not knowing that the closure of the fistula is not the end, but the beginning of the reintegration journey. This study examined the life experiences of former fistula patients after repair surgeries to determine whether treated fistula survivors were able to live the life they lived before the fistula. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in six districts in northwestern Tanzania where already identified and treated fistula survivors were interviewed using quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data were analyzed using STATA version 15 and, frequency, proportions, and measures of central tendencies were computed for different variables. Also, an association between some variables was explored at a p-value of < 0.05. These findings were presented in tables and figures. For the qualitative data, Nvivo software was used, and codes and relevant themes were generated. Triangulation of qualitative with quantitative data was made. Results A total of 106 women with a mean age of 39 years were enrolled in the study. Most of the clients returned to work following the repair, and their revenues increased as a result. Beneficiaries were also able to reunite with their loved ones and reengage in social events. The engagement of various stakeholders enhanced the project’s ownership and hence its success. Language barriers during training and unpredictable market prices and conditions affected the attainment of the project’s goals. Conclusion The welfare of survivors improved after the implementation of the project. More efforts by different stakeholders are needed to sustain and expand the current initiatives so that more women can benefit from them.