Prevalence and risk factors associated with obstetric fistula among women of reproductive age in Bungoma, Kilifi and Kiambu Counties, Kenya

Female genital fistula (FGF) is a serious childbirth injury affecting up to 100,000 women globally each year. In Kenya, 17.4 per 100,000 deliveries result in FGF, but only 8% of new cases receive surgical treatment. This study explores the causes, emotional effects, healthcare-seeking behaviours, and coping strategies among women with FGF in Bungoma, Kiambu, and Kilifi counties.

Two-thirds of participants reported severe depression, and over half experienced anxiety related to stigma and social exclusion. More than 20% had suicidal thoughts. Although most delivered their youngest child in a health facility, 41% gave birth at home, primarily due to limited access to medical care. The most common coping strategy was social isolation.