"I am nothing": experiences of loss among women suffering from severe birth injuries in Tanzania
"I am nothing": experiences of loss among women suffering from severe birth injuries in Tanzania
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DOI：
10.1186/1472-6874-11-49
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发表时间：
2011-01-01
影响因子：
2.5
通讯作者：
Kohi, Thecla W.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Mselle, Lilian T.;Moland, Karen Marie;Kohi, Thecla W.
背景：尽管近几十年来对孕产妇死亡率的关注日益增加，这使得孕产妇保健被确定为千年发展目标，但残疾和产科瘘管病仍然是全球卫生中一个被忽视的问题。持续的尿漏以及与之相关的身体、情感和社会痛苦对妇女的生活质量产生了深远的影响。本研究旨在探讨患有产科瘘的身体、文化和心理方面的问题，并展示这些经历如何塑造受这种疾病影响的妇女的身份。方法：采用定性和定量组成的横断面研究，探讨坦桑尼亚妇女与产科瘘及其丈夫的经历。这项研究是在达累斯萨拉姆的坦桑尼亚综合社区康复医院、姆万扎的布甘多医疗中心和多多马地区的姆瓦普瓦区进行的。方便地选择了16名女性的样本进行了采访，另有151名女性回答了一份问卷。此外，12名患产科瘘管病的妇女和这些妇女的6名丈夫参加了焦点小组讨论。数据分析使用内容数据分析框架和社会科学统计软件包（SPSS） version 15 for Microsoft windows。结果：研究揭示了一种深深的失落感。失去对身体的控制，失去作为妇女和妻子的社会角色，失去融入社会生活，失去尊严和自我价值是这些经历的核心。结论：患有产科瘘的妇女经历了深刻的失落感，这对她们的身份和生活质量产生了负面影响。为了了解产科瘘的发生和管理，以及治疗后的前景，承认受影响妇女的现实生活经历非常重要。这些知识将有助于提高妇女的自我价值感，并保持她们作为妇女、妻子、朋友和社区成员的身份。在社会和经济上增强妇女权能的教育方案以及向产科瘘管病妇女的家庭提供咨询，可帮助这些妇女获得必要的医疗和社会支助。
Background: Despite the increased attention on maternal mortality during recent decades, which has resulted in maternal health being defined as a Millennium Development Goal (MDG), the disability and suffering from obstetric fistula remains a neglected issue in global health. Continuous leaking of urine and the physical, emotional and social suffering associated with it, has a profound impact on women's quality of life. This study seeks to explore the physical, cultural and psychological dimensions of living with obstetric fistula, and demonstrate how these experiences shape the identities of women affected by the condition.Methods: A cross-sectional study with qualitative and quantitative components was used to explore the experiences of Tanzanian women living with obstetric fistula and those of their husbands. The study was conducted at the Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation Tanzania hospital in Dar es Salaam, Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, and Mpwapwa district, in Dodoma region. Conveniently selected samples of 16 women were interviewed, and 151 additional women responded to a questionnaire. In addition, 12 women affected by obstetric fistula and six husbands of these affected women participated in a focus group discussions. Data were analysed using content data analysis framework and statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 15 for Microsoft windows.Results: The study revealed a deep sense of loss. Loss of body control, loss of the social roles as women and wives, loss of integration in social life, and loss of dignity and self-worth were located at the core of these experiences.Conclusion: The women living with obstetric fistula experience a deep sense of loss that had negative impact on their identity and quality of life. Acknowledging affected women's real-life experiences is important in order to understand the occurrence and management of obstetric fistula, as well as prospects after treatment. This knowledge will help to improve women's sense of self-worth and maintain their identity as women, wives, friends and community members. Educational programmes to empower women socially and economically and counselling of families of women living with obstetric fistula may help these women receive medical and social support that is necessary.