Risk and Resilience: Obstetric Fistula in Tanzania - EngenderHealth

The majority of the women who had successful
repair also mentioned now being able to support
themselves and their families financially. One
specifically mentioned being able to engage in
petty trade. Almost all mentioned being able to
perform domestic chores - such as fetching wood
and water, farming and cooking - after repair. A
woman said, “I perform my chores without
difficulty.” (Woman from Ukerewe, age 21)
Many women highlighted the emotional impact of
the repair on their lives. Many called the cure of
their fistula “a miracle.” Half of the women
specifically mentioned feeling better about
themselves after repair. They explained to the
researchers that they could now attend meetings
and go for prayers; before repair, it was not easy
for them to do so.
However, one woman did mention that she still
faces stigma after repair, because people do not
believe that she has been healed. She said that
people looked at the place where she slept and
asked each other why she no longer wet the mat.
The woman said that some people ridiculed her by
likening a bladder to a gourd and saying “a cloth
can be mended but not a gourd. If you mend a
gourd and put in water, the water will come out.”
(Woman from Singida, age 54) She admitted that
this kind of statement discourages her from telling
others about the repair.
A Family’s Patience and Support
After being treated in October 2002, one woman told how she can
farm, visit relatives, and even go for prayers, as do other believers.
In the year of the study, she planned to cultivate a lot, because she
was not facing obstacles. The community is amazed when she tells
them that she is cured. Family members are very happy, including
her children and her husband. She has good relations with
community members and she lives without any worries. Her problem
of leaking urine has ended, and she can visit local brew clubs to
drink alcohol with other people. Many people are amazed that her
husband and children were very patient and assisted her to be
treated. (Woman from Songea, age 60)
During the follow-up visits with communities, most
of the women with fistula were not at home when
the research teams arrived. They were attending
funerals or wedding ceremonies, and a few were
found working in their farms, illustrating how they
have overcome the stigma and isolation they faced
when they had fistula.
Treatment by Family and Friends after
Unsuccessful Repair Attempts
Two women commented on the treatment they
received by family and friends after their first repair
was unsuccessful. Two spoke of an escalation of
community mistreatment: One reported that
community members were even more spiteful
toward her after the treatment failed; they laughed
at her and said she was wasting her time. Another
woman reported that some of the community
members laughed at her and called her names,
particularly after treatment failed. They also told
her she would never get a cure and was
condemned to this for life.
One of the women spoke of her family’s
disappointment with the unsuccessful repair, since
they had sacrificed a lot to get her the repair: She
said that they were very sorry about her situation,
since she received medical treatment and yet
continued leaking urine. She said her husband was
restless because he continued asking where the
treatment can be found.
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