ABSTRACT
Obstetric fistula(OF) was eradicated in developed countries through improved access to
Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care (CEmOC) and services but the condition is
still prevalent in developing countries such as Ghana due to inadequate access to CEmOC
and poor access to health facilities mostly in remote areas. This study sought to explore
the socio-economic effects of OF on its sufferers in the Central Region of Ghana. The
study adopted qualitative research approach and case study design with its interpretivist
qualities due to the purpose of the study. Interview guide was the main instrument used to
collect data from 40 participants which comprised 21 sufferers and 19 key informants
using purposive and snowball sampling methods. Major factors found responsible for OF
in the Central Region of Ghana include, traditional beliefs and practices, low income and
poverty, among others. The social consequences of OF on its patients consisted of
disgrace and shame, social isolation and labeling. In addition, both patients and expatients were found to be verbally abused and humiliated. Economic effects on patients
found were high expenditure and lower income. The social and economic supports for
patients were found to be inadequate and community based social welfare and protection
systems were lacking. It was concluded that though treated women enjoyed some social
and economic freedom, OF imposed devastating social and economic problems on its
sufferers in the Central Region of Ghana. This calls for the need for government, health
and social workers in the Central Region to improve on social support systems to save the
lives of affected women and avoid redevelopment of fistula among treated women to
promote national development. Major recommendations proposed included the need for
rural community-based pre-natal education, increased poverty reduction efforts, among
others.
Eastern Network, L (2021). SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF OBSTETRIC FISTULA CONDITON ON WOMEN IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF GHANA... Afribary.com: Retrieved April 17, 2021, from https://afribary.com/works/socio-economic-effects-of-obstetric-fistula-conditon-on-women-in-the-central-region-of-ghana
Library, Eastern Network. "SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF OBSTETRIC FISTULA CONDITON ON WOMEN IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF GHANA.." Afribary.com. Afribary.com, 02 Apr. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/socio-economic-effects-of-obstetric-fistula-conditon-on-women-in-the-central-region-of-ghana . Accessed 17 Apr. 2021.
Library, Eastern Network. "SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF OBSTETRIC FISTULA CONDITON ON WOMEN IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF GHANA..". Afribary.com, Afribary.com, 02 Apr. 2021. Web. 17 Apr. 2021. < https://afribary.com/works/socio-economic-effects-of-obstetric-fistula-conditon-on-women-in-the-central-region-of-ghana >.
Library, Eastern Network. "SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF OBSTETRIC FISTULA CONDITON ON WOMEN IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF GHANA.." Afribary.com (2021). Accessed April 17, 2021. https://afribary.com/works/socio-economic-effects-of-obstetric-fistula-conditon-on-women-in-the-central-region-of-ghana