Abstract:
Although Women with fistula may be sexually active; HIV counseling is often not
included in fistula treatment. There are very few studies looking at their
associated medical conditions and other factors in relation with outcome of
surgical repair of fistula
Objective: The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of HIV
among fistula patients and factors affecting outcome of fistula repair at Bahirdar
Hamlin Fistula Center
Methods: Institution based prospective cross sectional study design was
conducted at Bahirdar Hamlin Fistula Center from June 2010 to October 2010, 206
patients were examined with vesicovaginal, Rectovaginal fistulas and no previous
repair. Relevant data were collected from the patient and patient’s card for all who
were volunteers to participate in the study. Bivarate and multivariate regression
model were employed to verify the association between selected sociodemographic
characteristics, HIV positive test result and outcomes of fistula
repair.
Result: The seroprevalence of HIV infection was 2.4%. Of all VVF operations, 170
(90.4 %) were successful (closed) and 18 (9.6 %) were failed (not closed). From 25
RVF cases, 22(88 %) were successful (closed) and 3(12%) were failed (not closed).
In multivariate regression shows age from 25-34 of urinary fistula patients had a
significant association with failed urinary fistula operation. (P-value <0.05)
Conclusion and Recommendation: The initial repair of vesicovaginal fistulas has
the highest probability of success and the failure rate of repair was related with
age. The prevalence of HIV infection among fistula patients was2.4%, this is in line
with the national HIV prevalence among pregnant women attending ANC clinics in
rural area (2.5%) in 2007.
