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Introduction: Obstetric fistula is an abnormal connection between the vagina and rectum and/or bladder which may develop after prolonged and obstructed labor which leads to continuous urinary or fecal incontinence. It is a serious problem in the world’s poorest countries, where most mothers give birth without any medical help In most cases obstetric fistula can be treated if carried out by a competent surgeon and followed up with proper postoperative care. However, there remains to explore more on the duration of obstetric fistula recovery and determinant factors. Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate average recovery time of obstetric fistula and its determinant factors in Gondar University Teaching and Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Method: A retrospective follow up study was conducted at Gondar University Teaching and Referral Hospital. A total of612 fistula cases were included in the study using simple random sampling technique. To explore the data Kaplan-Meier and log rank test were computed. Weibull regression survival model was done to identify determinant factors with recovery time of obstetric fistula. Univariate frailty was employed to accommodate unobservable effect of fistula patients.Results:Among612 patients,539(88.07%)were recovered. Average recovery time was 5.14weeks(95% CI: 4.74, 5.55).Antibiotic use (HR=1.50, 95% CI=1.10-2.03), history of ANC (HR=1.95, 95% CI=1.38-2.75), literate patients (HR=2.00, 95% CI=1.45-2.77), length(HR=0.82, 95% CI=0.73-0.91) and width (HR=0.78, 95% CI=0.69-0.88) of fistula were predictors of rate of recovery. Conclusion: The average recovery time from obstetric fistula was 5.14 week. Small Length and width of fistula, patient educational status (literacy), antibiotic use and history of antenatal care visits help to shorten the recovery time of obstetric fistula. It is recommended to responsible body make Interventions based on these determinant factors. |
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