Impacts of Obstetric Fistula

Although the condition is almost entirely preventable, it is still a huge public health issue. Without an understanding of the complication and its causes, women in Ethiopia are frequently blamed for their condition.

Obstetric fistula symptoms include urinary and/or fecal incontinence that can lead to severe infections and ulcerations of the vaginal tract. Some patients suffer from paralysis caused by nerve damage.

Survivors are often subject to severe social stigma due to their smell, perceptions of uncleanliness, a mistaken assumption of venereal disease and, in some cases, infertility.

Nearly all patients at Hamlin's Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia report psychological issues associated with their condition. 

These terrible injuries leave women trapped in a life of pain, shame, and isolation.