Knowledge of Obstetric Fistula and Its Associated Factors among Women Attending Antenatal care at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Northwest, Ethiopia (2025):Facility based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background: Obstetric fistula continues to be a significant contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia,leading to devastating physical, psychological,and social consequences.Poor knowledge of women about obstetric fistula and its risk factors are the main predisposing factors of obstetric fistula.Limited data are available on knowledge of women on fistula and its risk factors in Gondar town.Therefore this study was asses knowledge of women on fistula and aiming to enhance knowledge of women on fistula and inform strategies for targeted interventions. Objective:This study aims to assess knowledge of obstetric fistula and associated factors among pregnant women who attend antenatal care. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 20 to May 20, 2025, among 413 pregnant women selected using systematic random sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with pretested structured questionnaires and analyzed using STATA 14.1.Bivariable logistic regression was performed with statistical significance set at p <0.25 and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.Model fitness was checked by the Hosmer–Lemeshow test (p = 0.49). Results: Overall, 55.9 % of respondents had poor knowledge of obstetric fistula with 95% of CI.Women who had given birth(AOR:4.3;95% CI:1.8-9.7),women who ever used contraceptive(AOR:3.1;95%CI:1.6–6.2),women who had availability of transportation(AOR:1.9;95%CI:1.4-4.2),those who had media exposure on reproductive health(AOR:2.9;95%CI:1.9-7.4),women being circumcised(AOR: 0.25;95% CI:0.14–0.44),and being unable to read and write(AOR:0.22; 95% CI:0.07–0.70) were significantly associated with knowledge of obstetric fistula. Conclusion and recommendations:Knowledge of obstetric fistula among pregnant women was low.Promoting family planning service utilization,availability of transpositions,and addressing harmful traditional practices and educational barriers are essential to improving women's knowledge of obstetric fistula.Zonal health and Woreda’s health bureaus should be strengthen family planning service utilization and community should be advocate against female circumcision, promoting media-exposure and safer cultural practices.