Access to High Quality Surgical Repair Services is a Fundamental Right of Patients with Obstetric Fistulas: A Study on Quality of Life Data in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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