Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Document Type
Article
Citation
Rwihura, O.C., and Mbangala, B. (2017). Information Professionals’ Role in Enhancing Awareness Creation towards Obstetric Fistula Treatment in Rural Areas of Tanzania
Abstract
This paper focuses on sensitisation of information professionals to create awareness on the treatment of Obstetric Fistula in rural areas of Tanzania. The rural women in Tanzania lack access to information on treatment of Obstetric Fistula, as a result, they face many problems such as social isolation, stigmatization, humiliation, rejection by their husbands and relatives. Due to these problems, Obstetric Fistula survivors feel guilty and loneliness, they lose hope for living and become disappointed. There is, therefore, a need for information professionals to disseminate Obstetric Fistula information in rural areas to create awareness of the treatment of this problem. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to identify 64 respondents in the four surveyed villages from Mpwapwa District, Dodoma Region, Tanzania. The same sampling design used to identify twelve health professionals (medical doctors and midwives). Data were collected through documentary reviews, in-depth interviews, questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions and observation. The study revealed that the problem could be cured, but the problem is that most of the rural community members lack information on the possibilities of obstetric fistula treatment. The study, therefore, concluded that information professionals have to play their role in creating awareness on the treatment of Obstetric Fistula in rural areas of Tanzania.