Frequency and management of non-obstetric fistula in the Democratic Republic of Congo: experience from Fistula Care Plus project

ObjectiveTo describe the frequency and management of non-obstetric fistula (NOF) in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).MethodsA retrospective cohort study reviewed patients’ medical records in three fistula repair sites supported by the USAID-funded Fistula Care Plus (FC+) Project, covering 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2017. Study variables included demographic characteristics, fistula etiology as reported by surgeon, fistula type (Waaldijk classification), and treatment outcomes.ResultsOf 1984 women treated for female genital fistula between 2015 and 2017 in the three sites, 384 (19%) were considered to be NOF cases. 91% of these women resided in rural areas. 49.3% were married/in relationship at time of treatment compared to 69% before the fistula (p<0.001). Most (n=316; 82.3%) had no previous repair attempts and 96.2% had an intact urethra. Type III (n=247; 64.3%) and type I (n=121 ; 31.5%) fistulas (Waaldijk classification) were most common. The main causes of NOF were medical procedure (n=305; 79.4%), congenital origin (41; 10.7%) or sexual assault (28; 7.3%). Caesarean section (n=234; 76.7%) and hysterectomy (n=54; 17.7%) were the most common causative procedures. 369 women with NOF received surgical repair (96%), mainly through routine services (n=317; 85.9%). At discharge, 353 women were closed and dry (95.7%) and 11 were closed with residual incontinence (3.0%).ConclusionNOF, particularly due to iatrogenic causes, was relatively common in DRC. Surgical repair at FC+-supported sites led to good clinical outcomes. However, to achieve a fistula-free generation in DRC, prevention of iatrogenic fistula is needed, requiring improved quality of maternal care.Keywords: Non-obstetric fistula, Frequency, Management, Cohort; DRC