Barriers affecting access to obstetric fistula treatment in Kenya

The study focused on the barriers affecting women's access to obstetric fistula treatment in Kenya. The study was guided with six variables i.e. demographic characteristics of patients, patient's information and awareness, psychological barrier, physical and geographical barriers, socio-economic and cultural barriers and the influence of facility shortages on women access to obstetric fistula treatment. The study adopted a cross sectional research design that applied both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection including combination of interviews and questionnaires. The study population comprised of all women with fistula seeking repair services at the four selected Hospitals in the study areas. Obstetric fistula remains a major public health problem in study areas where unattended obstructed labor is common and maternal mortality is high. It is both preventable and treatable, but women in the study areas experience delays in seeking repair due to a number of barriers affecting access to fistula repair, including information and awareness, psychological barrier, physical and geographical barriers, socio-economic and cultural barriers and facility shortages.