This book applies a multi-disciplinary lens to examine obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury that results from prolonged, obstructed labor. While obstetric fistula can be prevented with emergency obstetric care, it continues to occur primarily in resource-limited settings. In this volume, specialists in the anthropological, psychological, public health, and biomedical disciplines, as well as health policy experts and representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations discuss a scoping overview on obstetric fistula, including prevention, treatment, and reducing stigma for survivors. This comprehensive resource is useful in understanding the risk factors, epidemiology, and social, psychological, and medical effects of obstetric fistula. Topics explored include: A Human Rights Approach Toward Eradicating Obstetric Fistula Obstetric Fistula: A Case of Miscommunication – Social Experiences of Women with Obstetric Fistula Classification of Female Genital Tract Fistulas Training and Capacity-Building in the Provision of Fistula Treatment Services Designing Preventive Strategies for Obstetric Fistula Sexual Function in Women with Obstetric Fistula Social and Reproductive Health of Women After Obstetric Fistula Repair Making the Case for Holistic Fistula Care Addressing Mental Health in Obstetric Fistula Patients Physical Therapy for Women with Obstetric Fistula A Multidisciplinary Approach to Obstetric Fistula in Africa is designed for professional use by NGOs, international aid organizations, governmental and multilateral agencies, healthcare providers, public health specialists, anthropologists, and others who aim to improve maternal health across the globe. Although the book’s geographic focus is Africa, it may serve as a useful resource for individuals who aim to address obstetric fistula in other settings. The book may also be used as an educational tool in courses/programs that focus on Global Health, Maternal and Child Health, Epidemiology, Medical Anthropology, Gender/Women's Studies, Obstetrics, Global Medicine, Nursing, and Midwifery.

Aims: This is a retrospective observational study of our experience with diagnosis and multispecialty management of complex fistula in gynaecological oncology.Background: Fistulas are uncommon complications in gynaecological malignancies; commonest occurring fistulas are vesico-vaginal and enterocutaneous fistula. They may develop after primary malignancy, surgery, recurrence or radiation therapy. We report an observational cohort study.Methods: Prospective identification and data collection on all cases with fistula related to gynaecological malignancy was undertaken between 2014 and 2018. Patient demographics, co-morbidities, cancer type & stage, investigations, management and outcomes were collated and analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 17 patients were identified (1% total n=1485), out of which 12 developed a fistula post operatively, 4 after chemo radiotherapy, and 1 case post recurrence. Among the 17 patients, 5 patients developed Enterocutaneous fistula, 3 uretro-vaginal fistula, 3 vesico-vaginal fistula, 3 rectovaginal fistula and 3 colovaginal fistula. CT scan was the main diagnostic tool in all these case. There were no correlations between developing a fistula and age, BMI, previous abdominal surgery, type or stage of cancer and type of procedure. All fistulas were managed with multidisciplinary approach from the outset, including medical & clinical oncology, nutrition, interventional radiology, colorectal & urological surgeons, tissue viability, and extensive clinical nurse specialist support. Vesico-vaginal fistulas and post-radiotherapy rectovaginal and colovaginal fistulas were managed surgically. All others were managed conservatively with full resolution. Conclusion: Fistulas in gynaecological oncology are an uncommon complication. CT scan is the preferred imaging modality for diagnosis. Early multi-disciplinary approach is pivotal to successful management.

This practical manual has three main objectives: to draw attention to the urgent issue of obstetric fistula; provide background information along with principles for developing fistula prevention and treatment strategies and programmes; and contribute to the development of more effective services for women under treatment for fistula repair.

This open access edited book brings together new research on the mechanisms by which maternal and reproductive health policies are formed and implemented in diverse locales around the world, from global policy spaces to sites of practice. The authors – both internationally respected anthropologists and new voices – demonstrate the value of ethnography and the utility of reproduction as a lens through which to generate rich insights into professionals’ and lay people’s intimate encounters with policy. Authors look closely at core policy debates in the history of global maternal health across six different continents, including: Women’s use of misoprostol for abortion in Burkina Faso The place of traditional birth attendants in global maternal health Donor-driven maternal health programs in Tanzania Efforts to integrate qualitative evidence in WHO maternal and child health policy-making Anthropologies of Global Maternal and Reproductive Health will engage readers interested in critical conversations about global health policy today. The broad range of foci makes it a valuable resource for teaching in medical anthropology, anthropology of reproduction, and interdisciplinary global health programs. The book will also find readership amongst critical public health scholars, health policy and systems researchers, and global public health practitioners.

"What is women's empowerment, and how and why does it matter for women's health? Despite the rise of a human rights-based approach to women's health and increasing awareness of the synergies between women's health and empowerment, a lack of consensus remains as to how to measure empowerment and successfully intervene in ways that improve health. Women's Empowerment and Global Health provides thirteen detailed, multidisciplinary case studies from across the globe and through the course of a woman's life to show how science and advocacy can be creatively merged to enhance the agency and status of women. Accompanying short videos provide background about programs on the ground in India, the United States, Mexico, Nicaragua, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Women's Empowerment and Global Health explores the promises and limits of programmatic, scientific, and rights-based work in real-world settings and provides the next generation of researchers and practitioners, as well as students in global and public health, sociology, anthropology, women's studies, law, business, and medicine, with cutting edge and inspirational examples of programs that point the way toward achieving women's equality and fulfilling the right to health."--Provided by publisher.

The relative lack of information on determinants of disease, disability, and death at major stages of a woman's lifespan and the excess morbidity and premature mortality that this engenders has important adverse social and economic ramifications, not only for Sub-Saharan Africa, but also for other regions of the world as well. Women bear much of the weight of world production in both traditional and modern industries. In Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, women contribute approximately 60 to 80 percent of agricultural labor. Worldwide, it is estimated that women are the sole supporters in 18 to 30 percent of all families, and that their financial contribution in the remainder of families is substantial and often crucial. This book provides a solid documentary base that can be used to develop an agenda to guide research and health policy formulation on female health--both for Sub-Saharan Africa and for other regions of the developing world. This book could also help facilitate ongoing, collaboration between African researchers on women's health and their U.S. colleagues. Chapters cover such topics as demographics, nutritional status, obstetric morbidity and mortality, mental health problems, and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

Generalized hypermobility has been known since ancient times, and a clinical description of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is said to have first been recorded by Hippocrates in 400 BC. Hypermobility syndromes occur frequently, but the wide spectrum of possible symptoms, coupled with a relative lack of awareness and recognition, are the reason that they are frequently not recognized, or remain undiagnosed. This book is an international, multidisciplinary guide to hypermobility syndromes, and EDS in particular. It aims to create better awareness of hypermobility syndromes among health professionals, including medical specialists, and to be a guide to the management of such syndromes for patients and practitioners. It is intended for use in daily clinical practice rather than as a reference book for research or the latest developments, and has been written to be understandable for any healthcare worker or educated patient without compromise to the scientific content. The book is organized as follows: chapters on classifications and genetics are followed by chapters on individual types, organ (system) manifestations and complications, and finally ethics and therapeutic strategies, with an appendix on surgery and the precautions which should attend it. A special effort has been made to take account of the perspective of the patient; two of the editors have EDS. The book will be of interest to patients with hypermobility syndromes and their families, as well as to all those healthcare practitioners who may encounter such syndromes in the course of their work.