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Title The social, economic, emotional, and physical experiences of caregivers for women with female genital fistula in Uganda: A qualitative study.
Full text https://escholarship.org/uc/item/82k292tg
Date 2023
Author(s) Mitchell, Ashley; Nalubwama, Hadija; Semere, Wagahta; Barageine, Justus; Obore, Susan; Lucas, Ruby; Byamugisha, Josaphat; Korn, Abner; Miller, Suellen; El Ayadi, Alison
Abstract ABSTRACTThis study aimed to explore the firsthand experiences of informal primary caregivers of women with female genital fistula in Uganda. Caregivers that accompanied women for surgery at Mulago National Teaching and Referral Hospital were recruited between January and September 2015. Caregivers participated in in-depth interviews and focus groups. Data were analysed thematically and informed adaptation of a conceptual framework. Of 43 caregivers, 84% were female, 95% family members, and most married and formally employed. Caregivers engaged in myriad personal care and household responsibilities, and described being on call for an average of 22.5 h per day. Four overlapping themes emerged highlighting social, economic, emotional, and physical experiences/consequences. The caregiving experience was informed by specific caregiver circumstances (e.g. personal characteristics, care needs of their patient) and dynamic stressors/supports within the caregivers social context. These results demonstrate that caregivers lived social, economic, emotional, and physical experiences and consequences are influenced by both social factors and individual characteristics of both the caregiver and their patient. This study may inform programmes and policies that increase caregiving supports while mitigating caregiving stressors to enhance the caregiving experience, and ultimately ensure its feasibility, particularly in settings with constrained resources.
Subject(s) Female genital fistula; Uganda; caregiver; conceptual framework; qualitative; stress; Female; Humans; Male; Uganda; Caregivers; Qualitative Research; Fistula; Genitalia; Female
Publisher eScholarship, University of California
Type of publication article
Format application/pdf
Source Global Public Health, vol 18, iss 1
Rights public
Identifier qt82k292tg
Repository Berkeley - University of California
Added to C-A: 2024-01-10;09:04:38