Background: Obstetric fistula is a major public health issue among thousands of women
within a developing country and has the most devastating effects on physical, social, and economic
levels. Also, obstetric fistula is a preventable condition that healthcare workers play a key role in its
prevention. Aim: The present research was aimed to evaluate the effect of health educational
program on maternity nurses' performance regarding obstetric fistula and its prevention. Design: A
quasi-experimental research design was utilized. Settings: The research was conducted at Obstetrics
and Gynaecology department and emergency department affiliated to Benha University Hospital.
Sample: A convenient sample of 80 maternity nurses was recruited. Tools: Four tools were used for
data collection; a structured self-administered questionnaire, maternity nurses' knowledge
assessment sheet, modified Likert scale for maternity nurses' attitudes and checklists about fistula
care skills to assess nurses' practices during caring women with obstetric fistula. Results: Illustrated
that, there was a highly statistically significant improvement in relation to maternity nurses’
knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding obstetric fistula and its prevention at post-intervention
phase compared to pre-intervention phase (P ≤ 0.001). As well, there was a highly positive
statistically significant correlation between total knowledge, total attitudes and total practices scores
at pre-and post-intervention phase (p≤0.001). Conclusion: Was concluded that research hypothesis
was supported and maternity nurses exhibited improved performance (knowledge, attitudes and
practices) regarding obstetric fistula and its prevention after implementation of educational program.
Recommendations: Increase awareness of obstetric fistula and its prevention among health care
teams. Training of health care workers to facilitate early screening for identification and referral of
women with obstetric fistula. |
