Risk factors for vaginal fistula symptoms in Sub-Saharan Africa: a pooled analysis of national household survey data

Vaginal fistula (VF) is one of the most severe maternal morbidities with the immediate consequence of chronic urinary and/or fecal incontinence. The epidemiological evidence regarding risk factors for VF is dominated by facility-based studies. Our aim is to estimate the effect size of selected risk factors for VF using population-based survey data. We pooled all available Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicators Cluster Surveys carried out in sub-Saharan Africa that collected information on VF symptoms. Bayesian matched logistic regression models that accounted for the imperfect sensitivity and specificity of self-reports of VF symptoms were used for effect size estimation. Up to 27 surveys were pooled, including responses from 332,889 women. Being able to read decreased the odds of VF by 13% (95% Credible Intervals (CrI): 1% to 23%), while higher odds of VF symptoms were observed for women of short stature (