Partnership in Improving Quality of Obstetric Fistula Care: A Family Systems Perspective
Loading...
Date
2017
Authors
Muchiri, Karega
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Literature review reveals that women in treatment for obstetric fistula commonly present with various psychological symptoms including depression, shame, diminished self-esteem, post-traumatic stress, somatic complaints, avoidant and resignation coping and, resentment. This is as a result of the familial as well as social dynamics inherent in the course of recovery. These dynamics include, among others, abandonment, discrimination, social ostracism and marginalization. Family Systems approaches postulate that change in one part of the system, leads to change in the whole system. Obstetric fistula thus leads to unhealthy functioning in the family system in different forms including disrupted marital relationship and limited social support. The knowledge gap that the study sought to investigate related to specific family focused systemic interventions either applied during intervention or proposed as part of the continuum of care in the treatment of Obstetric fistula. The study employed a systematic review of studies conducted on treatment and care of Obstetric Fistula patients. This review revealed a gap in systemic family focused interventions, by public health practitioners and other relevant stakeholders, geared towards restoring healthy family functioning, despite evidence that resuming social roles as wives and mothers was found to be a predominantly positive rehabilitation experience. This paper proposes a partnership between psychologists and public health practitioners in implementing family systems focused interventions aimed at restoring healthy family functioning and thus improving the quality of continuum of care among Obstetric Fistula patients
Description
A paper presented at the 1st International Reproductive Health Conference on Fistula
Held at Kenyatta University Conference Centre, Nairobi, Kenya
22nd-24th May 2017
Keywords
Obstetric Fistula, Obstetric, Fistula