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Justin Lussy Paluku,1,2 Susan A Bartels,3,4 Benjamin Kasereka Kataliko,2 Cathy Mufungizi Furaha,1,2 Barthelemy Kasi Aksanti,2 Benjamin Kambale Kalole,2 Eugénie Mukekulu Kamabu,5 Chrispin Musubao Lwanzo,2 Jonathan ML Kasereka,6 Olivier Mukuku,7 Zacharie Kibendelwa Tsongo,8 Stanis Okitotsho Wembonyama,9,10 Charles Wembonyama Mpoy,11 Jeannot Sihalikyolo Juakali12 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Goma, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo; 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, HEAL Africa Hospital, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo; 3Department of Emergency Medicine, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada; 4Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada; 5Department of Internal Medicine, HEAL Africa Hospital, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo; 6Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, HEAL Africa Hospital, Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo; 7Department of Maternal and Child Health, High Institute of Medical Techniques, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; 8Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo; 9Department of Pediatrics, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; 10Department of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; 11Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; 12Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the CongoCorrespondence: Justin Lussy Paluku, Email justin.paluku@unigom.ac.cdPurpose: The aim of this study was to assess quality of life (QoL) using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire among obstetric fistula (OF) patients before and after surgical repair of OF (SROF).Methods: A longitudinal cohort study was conducted between November 2022 and October 2023 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) among OF patients to assess t

Justin Paluku,1,2 Phoebe Bruce,3 Eugénie Kamabu,4 Benjamin Kataliko,1 Jonathan Kasereka,5 Annie Dube3 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, HEAL Africa Tertiary Hospital, Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo; 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Goma (UNIGOM), Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo; 3Department of Undergraduate Medical Education, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada; 4Department of Internal Medicine, HEAL Africa Tertiary Hospital, Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo; 5Department of Surgery, HEAL Africa Tertiary Hospital, Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of CongoCorrespondence: Justin PalukuDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, HEAL Africa Tertiary Hospital, P.O. Box 319, Goma, Democratic Republic of CongoEmail justin.paluku@healafrica.orgPurpose: To describe the demographics and evaluate the repair of childbirth-associated injuries leading to incontinence in patients in remote Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).Patients and Methods: Four surgical outreach campaigns were organised between March 2018 and October 2019. These campaigns specifically targeted women with incontinence secondary to childbirth-associated injuries. Patients were recruited on a voluntary basis, and locations included Katako-kombe (Sankuru province), Wamba (Haut Uelé province), Karawa (North Ubangi province) and Kipaka (Maniema province). Necessary care was provided along with informal teaching with local healthcare professionals.Results: A total of 481 patients,14– 71 years old with a mean of 32 years of age, were included in this study. The average duration of incontinence associated with a childbirth injury was 6.8 years. Vesicovaginal fistulas (277/481; 57.6%) and perineal tears (148/481; 30.8%) were predominant, while the combination of vesicovaginal and rectovaginal fistulas were seen in only 5 (1.0%) patients. Vaginal delivery (259/481; 53.9%), caesarean section (120/481; 25.0%) and l