Self-efficacy for Re-acceptance in Communities Among Obstetric Fistula Patients in Africa:

Abstract

The physical and psychosocial problems associated with obstetric fistula affect the patients’ efficacy to function within specific realms of life and affect their quality of life. This study documented the obstetric fistula patients’ self-efficacy for reacceptance in the communities in Africa. The study used keywords and the year of publication (2000 to 2019) as a search strategy to obtain data for review. A Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist specifically for qualitative studies was used. The search resulted in 284 studies: Google Scholar; 37, PubMed; 12, Hinari; 3, African Journals Online; 36, Psych-INFO; 1 and other websites; 195. Subsequently, 258 studies were excluded due to duplication and failure to meet the study objective leaving 26 studies, which were thematically analyzed. Studies report loss of hope, dignity, confidence, and self-esteem among obstetric fistula patients. They feel unfit, and are often anxious, attributes that impede their employability, mobility, connections, conjugal affairs, childbearing, and enthusiasm to accomplish various tasks; an index of low self-efficacy. However, when repaired and empowered through skills training and counseling, their self-efficacy improves. Self-efficacy is generally low among obstetric fistula patients especially those that have not yet had fistula repair. Alongside repair of the fistula, activities intended for societal reintegration reduce levels of anxiety, increase confidence and overall self-efficacy, which enables reacceptance.