Obstetric Fistula: A Hidden Public Health Problem In Sub-Saharan Africa

Obstetric fistula (OF) continues to devastate the lives of women in sub-Saharan Africa. Many women with the condition are suffering in silence. They are unaware of the available treatment options or unaware of where to get treatment. Yet, the condition is treatable and preventable. Recently, many countries and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the region embarked on interventions to address the impact of the condition, however, much emphasis is put to identifying and treating the existing cases with less emphasis put to public health interventions that can help to prevent and eventually eradicate the condition in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to explore the impact of obstetric fistula in the region and to propose effective public health interventions that can help to prevent the condition with a long-term goal of eradicating the condition.