International Day to End Obstetric Fistula: Resource Roundup

By: Staff, Maternal Health Task Force

While there has been tremendous progress in preventing and treating fistula around the world, ending fistula in all forms requires addressing underlying systemic issues and improving access to high quality maternal health care around the world.

Fistula—a hole between the birth canal and another organ (typically the bladder or rectum)—is a serious maternal morbidity, particularly in low-resource settings. There are several different types of fistulas including:

• Traumatic fistula: caused by sexual violence
• Iatrogenic fistula: caused by unsafe surgery (often from cesarean section)
• Obstetric fistula: caused by obstructed or prolonged labor

We have rounded up key research and resources related to fistula:

Research

Research in obstetric fistula: Addressing gaps and unmet needs
Obstetrics & Gynecology | May 2018

The changing face of obstetric fistula surgery in Ethiopia
International Journal of Women’s Health | July 2016

Double burden of tragedy: Stillbirth and obstetric fistula
The Lancet Global Health | February 2016

Estimating the prevalence of obstetric fistula: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | December 2013

Obstetric fistula: A preventable tragedy
Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health December 2010

Blog posts

Leading Experts Discuss Fistula, Safe Surgery and the Way Forward
Maternal Health Task Force | February 2018

How Surgery Can Treat and Cause Fistula
Maternal Health Task Force | January 2018

Obstructed Labor Does Not End at Delivery: Strengthening Postpartum Care Following Prolonged/Obstructed Labor
Fistula Care Plus | July 2017

After Fistula Repair: Understanding Women’s Needs in Uganda
Fistula Care Plus | June 2017

[Part 1] Obstetric Fistula: A Global Maternal Health Challenge
Maternal Health Task Force | May 2017

[Part 2] Obstetric Fistula: Women’s Voices
Maternal Health Task Force | May 2017

[Part 3] Obstetric Fistula: Innovative Interventions and the Way Forward
Maternal Health Task Force | May 2017

International Day to End Obstetric Fistula: Ending Fistula Within a Generation
Maternal Health Task Force | May 2016

New Research to Shorten Recovery Time for Fistula Repair
Maternal Health Task Force | May 2015

Resources

10 Facts on Fistula
World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO Recommendation on Duration of Bladder Catheterization After Surgical Repair of Simple Obstetric Urinary Fistula
WHO

Cesarean Section Safety and Quality in Low-Resource Settings: Report of a Technical Consultation
Fistula Care Plus and the Maternal Health Task Force

Surgical Safety Toolkit
Fistula Care Plus

[Webinar] A Global Survey of Skilled Birth Attendants on Intra- and Post-Partum Bladder Care and Management of Prolonged/Obstructed Labor
Fistula Care Plus

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Learn about International Day to End Obstetric Fistula.

Join the conversation on social media by tagging @MHTF and using #EndFistula #IDEOF #FistulaDay