Themes and sub-themes.

Obstetric fistula is a condition where women leak urine or faeces without control due to a hole created between where babies are born through and where urine or feces are stored. Incontinence of urine and feces is one major challenge facing women with obstetric fistula. The study assessed the coping strategies of women with obstetric fistula in the Northern Region of Ghana. The qualitative descriptive phenomenology study recruited 15 women with obstetric fistula through purposive sampling technique. Semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data through face-to-face interviews. The consents of participants were sought, and interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded and analyzed manually using Colaizi’s thematic content analysis method. Using chamber pots as seats or chairs, wearing many clothes, use of rugs, pampers, or sanitary pads, avoiding bulky foods, use of perfumes or detergents, and frequently bathing and washing clothes were found coping strategies of women with obstetrics fistula. Also, control for incontinence, noise during walking and elimination of odor were found as justification for the use of the coping strategies. In addition, parents and siblings, health workers, neighbours and friends were the main source of support for living with incontinence while skin rashes, itching pain, fear, anxiety and grief were the physical and psychological effects of living with incontinence. Coping strategies including use of chamber pots as seats, wearing of many clothes, use of rugs and pampers, avoiding bulky foods, frequent bathing and washing were employed by women with obstetric fistula to manage incontinence of urine and feces. Support of parents, siblings, health workers, neighbours and friends played a significant role in their daily lives. Despite these efforts, women with obstetric fistula experience physical and psychological effects include skin rashes, pain, fear and grief highlighting the adverse impact of obstetric fistula on the general well-being of women.

产科瘘（Obstetric fistula）是指女性因产道与储尿、储粪器官之间形成瘘孔，出现无法自控的尿液或粪便漏出的病症。尿便失禁是产科瘘女性面临的主要挑战之一。本研究针对加纳北部地区产科瘘女性的应对策略展开评估。本研究为质性描述现象学研究，通过目的性抽样法招募15名产科瘘女性。研究采用半结构化访谈指南，通过面对面访谈收集数据。研究获得参与者的知情同意，对访谈内容进行录音、逐字转录、编码，并采用科拉齐（Colaizi）主题内容分析法开展手动分析。研究发现，产科瘘女性采用的应对策略包括：将便盆用作座椅、多穿衣物、使用地毯、纸尿裤（Pampers）或卫生巾、避免食用体积较大的食物、使用香水或清洁剂，以及频繁沐浴与洗衣。此外，控制失禁、行走时控制声响、去除异味是采用这些应对策略的动因。另外，父母与兄弟姐妹、医护人员、邻居及朋友是女性应对尿便失禁的主要支持来源；而皮疹、瘙痒疼痛、恐惧、焦虑与悲伤则是尿便失禁带来的生理与心理影响。产科瘘女性通过采用将便盆用作座椅、多穿衣物、使用地毯与纸尿裤、避免食用体积较大的食物、频繁沐浴与洗衣等应对策略，以管理尿便失禁问题。父母、兄弟姐妹、医护人员、邻居及朋友的支持在其日常生活中发挥了重要作用。尽管采取了上述措施，产科瘘女性仍会出现皮疹、瘙痒疼痛、恐惧与悲伤等生理与心理症状，凸显了产科瘘对女性整体健康福祉的负面影响。