Research Reports

Bladder Care and Management of Prolonged/Obstructed Labor: A 2017 Global Survey of Intrapartum and Postpartum Clinical Practices (English, PDF, 2026KB) July 2018. Authored by Elly Arnoff and Vandana Tripathi with commentary by Sheena Currie for EngenderHealth. To help build the evidence base for urinary catheterization in relation to fistula prevention and treatment, the Fistula Care Plus (FC+) project conducted a key informant survey of skilled birth attendants to better understand how maternity providers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) provide intrapartum and postpartum bladder care. Findings revealed a strong foundation for improving and standardizing intrapartum and postpartum bladder care and prolonged/obstructed labor management

The Landscape of Cesarean Section in Sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia (English, PDF, 2488 KB) November 2017. London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and EngenderHealth. This report seeks to assess the landscape of cesarean sections in LMICs using recent, comparable, nationally representative survey data by analyzing DHS data from 44 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia between 2002 and 2016.

Barriers to Fistula Repair in Nigeria: A Formative Study (English, PDF, 364 KB) September 2016. Population Council and EngenderHealth.  A formative research study was conducted in Nigeria, building on the results of a systematic review to better understand the barriers and enabling factors for fistula repair care delivery and access. Understanding how Nigerian women living with fistula decide to seek care, identify and reach medical centers, and receive adequate and appropriate care is integral and continues to influence the design of a larger implementation pilot.

Quantitative Analysis of a Retrospective Review of Fistula Cases in Nigeria: Study Report (English, PDF, 567 KB) September 2016. Elly Arnoff, Karen Levin, Ringpon Gwamzhi, Adamu Isah, Vandana Tripathi for EngenderHealth

Qualitative Research on Communication Needs and Channels: Study Report (English, PDF, 681 KB) August 2016. Vandana Tripathi, Caitlin Donaghy, and Anna Wadsworth for EngenderHealth. The Fistula Care Plus (FC+) project conducted an Assessment of Communication Needs for Obstetric Fistula Programming in Nigeria study in early 2016. The study involved in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with a variety of key informants at federal, state, local government authority (LGA), and community levels in each of the focus states. Additionally, the study reviewed existing patient records from FC+ supported fistula treatment sites. The qualitative findings are summarized in one report, and the results from the record review are provided in a second report. Findings from these studies are informing FC+ communications efforts in Nigeria related to fistula prevention, treatment and social reintegration services.

Barriers to Fistula Repair in Uganda: A Formative Study (English, PDF, 766 KB) August 2016. Population Council and EngenderHealth.  A formative research study was conducted in Uganda, building on the results of a systematic review to better understand the barriers and enabling factors for fistula repair care delivery and access. Understanding how Ugandan women living with fistula decide to seek care, identify and reach medical centers, and receive adequate and appropriate services is integral and continues to influences the design of a larger implementation pilot. 

Barriers to Obstetric Fistula Treatment in Low-Income Countries: A Systematic Review (English, PDF, 1,309 KB) December 2014. Population Council and EngenderHealth. This review aims to identify and understand the barriers affecting women’s access to fistula repair, to inform the design of possible interventions that may be effective in addressing these barriers. This work may also identify research gaps surrounding fistula in low-income countries that require targeted formative research before interventions can be designed.A three-stage search protocol was developed using key terms to identify relevant papers, and a total of 110 studies were included in the systematic review.

Sharing the Burden: Ugandan Women Speak About Obstetric Fistula (PDF, 477 KB) November 2007. Women’s Dignity Project and EngenderHealth. Women’s Dignity Project and EngenderHealth carried out a study in four rural districts of Uganda to bring to light the social, cultural, economic, and medical complexities of obstetric fistula. This study provides evidence on the need for broad-based and sustained action to address maternal morbidity and mortality in Uganda.

Risk and Resilience: Fistula Report (PDF, 766 KB) November 2006. Women’s Dignity Project and EngenderHealth in partnership with Health Action Promotion Association, Kivulini Women’s Rights Organization, and Peramiho Mission Hospital. This study explores the many dimensions of fistula through the experiences and views of girls and women living with fistula, as well as their families and communities and the health workers who care for them.