Fistula Formation and Successful Repair

This is a prospective and retrospective chart review of a cohort of women aged 12 years and above who present to Bwaila Hospital with obstetric fistulas. Variables from existing subject records tracing back to January 2010 will be input into the REDCap database and analyzed. Prospective data collection will begin alongside obstetric fistula repairs upon IRB approval and will last for a minimum of 5 years.

A few variables were selected from the database for sample size determination:

• HIV prevalence In order to assess a statistically significant difference in HIV prevalence amongst fistula patients and the general population, with a projected prevalence of 25% in fistula patients and 15% in the general population based on prior studies, approximately 416 fistula patients would need to be enrolled in the study.
• Risk factors for failure of repair-Goh classification Type 4 In order to assess a statistically significant difference in failure of repair for fistula patients classified based on the Goh classification as Type4 (approximately 30% failure rate based on prior studies) and all other fistula patients (15% failure rate reported for uncomplicated fistulas), approximately 200 patients would need to be enrolled in the study.

It is estimated that about 200 fistula patients will be enrolled into the database every year. The study is expected to last a minimum of 5 years, for a total enrollment of 1250 patients.

Current Procedures For more than a year, the Freedom to Fight Fistula Foundation (FFFF) has sponsored a fistula repair program at Bwaila that has consisted of visiting fistula surgeons coming for short periods of time to conduct repairs. Since September 2011, a full time fistula surgeon has been on site at Bwaila hospital.

Referral to the FFFF at Bwaila occurs primarily via word-of-mouth, as currently demand highly exceeds capacity. As of now, there is a waiting list of approximately 50 fistula patients. Occasionally, the foundation makes visits to health centers to give educational presentations on obstetric fistulas, and distributes flyers advertising its services in the local community. Once the presence of a regular surgeon is established, and the waiting list is diminished, the foundation anticipates increasing its advertising through newspaper and radio, and by making regular visits to community events and district health centers.

Bwaila Hospital is a hospital located in Lilongwe designated for women. It provides basic, regular obstetric and gynecologic services.

Data Collection and Bwaila Hospital

Retrospective Arm A chart review of existing subject records tracing back to January 2010 will be conducted, and input in the REDCap database to the extent that it is available and complete.

Prospective Arm Nurses will obtain informed consent from all patients admitted to Bwaila Hospital for obstetric fistula evaluation to participate in the research study.

They will then interview the patients with a clinical history form. The information collected with the form will be relevant to the care of the patient, and is part of routine care for obstetric fistula patients.

The form includes demographic data, sexual history, obstetric history, and medical history, and a depression screening and diagnostic tool.

After the interview the patient will receive standard of care with their obstetrics doctor for their fistulas (this is not part of the study): assessed for the presence of an obstetric fistula; discuss possible repair; have repair; recuperate; discharged; return for follow-up visits at one month and three months to assess how the patient is doing.

At these visits patient will have 5 minute study interviews discussing their ability to control their urination, and also how well they are getting by in their community, both financially and socially.

Additional data will be extracted directly from the patient chart as a secondary chart review for the study, and will include a review of physical exam findings, preoperative findings, intraoperative findings, postoperative results and follow-up findings at the one-month and three-month review dates.

This data will be transferred from the patient charts to REDCap. All information collected will be de-identified.

Inclusion criteria

• Women aged 12 years and above
• Present to Bwaila Hospital with obstetric fistula
• Allow retrospective chart review
• Willing to provide consent

Exclusion criteria

• Not allow retrospective chart review