Abstract:
Background: While obstetric fistula has been recognized as a major maternal morbidity since the 1980s, it has
become an indicator of access to and quality of women’ s health care.
Findings: Obstetric fistula still exists in low-income countries (LIC) because health care systems fail to provide
adequate family planning, skilled birth attendance, basic and emergency obstetric care, and affordable treatment of
fistula, while concurrently lacking social networks to serve as safety nets for affected girls and women [WHO, 2007].
Conclusion: This review explores the most recent published experience with respect to the definition of fistula, its
diagnosis, treatment, and management, and further steps for prevention of fistula on a global scale.