Lived experiences of refugee women with vaginal fistula in Nakivale and Oruchinga refugee settlements, Isingiro District, Uganda

George Opong ¹, Everd Bikaitwoha Maniple ², Caroline Noel Agabiirwe ³

⁰Faculty of Health Sciences, Uganda Martyrs University, Kampala, Uganda. gopongodwe@gmail.com.

Bmc Women's Health +

|

February 2, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Vaginal fistula (VF) causes severe physical, psychosocial, and economic hardship for refugee women. Survivors face stigma and isolation, highlighting the need for comprehensive support systems for healing and reintegration.

Area Of Science

Global Health
Sociology
Women's Health

Background

Vaginal fistula (VF) disproportionately affects women in low-resource settings, particularly in Africa, with significant prevalence in Uganda.
Conflict-related factors like health system collapse and sexual violence exacerbate VF risk among refugee women.
The profound physical, psychosocial, and economic consequences of VF necessitate research into the lived experiences of affected populations.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the multifaceted impacts of vaginal fistula (VF) on refugee women in Nakivale and Oruchinga settlements.
To explore the coping mechanisms employed by refugee women living with or having experienced VF.
To inform the development of effective prevention, treatment, and social reintegration strategies.

Main Methods

A qualitative study design was employed, involving in-depth interviews with ten refugee women diagnosed with VF.
The Social-Ecological Model and Transactional Model were utilized for comprehensive data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
Participant data focused on experiences spanning 2-15 years of living with VF.

Main Results

Participants experienced significant physical trauma, including multiple stillbirths, with obstetric fistula, rape, and cancer as primary causes.
Women endured severe social discrimination, emotional distress, poverty, and lack of support, leading to stigma and isolation.
Challenges included marital sexual difficulties, depression, and survival hardships.

Conclusions

Vaginal fistula inflicts extensive physical, emotional, financial, social, and sexual trauma on refugee women.
Societal discrimination and stigma contribute to isolation, depression, and suicidal ideation among survivors.
Even after successful surgical repair, survivors require ongoing psychosocial support and a nurturing environment for complete healing and social reintegration.

Keywords:

Coping Lived experiences Phenomenology Psychosocial Refugee women Vaginal fistula