Unmet Needs and Untold Stories: A Scoping Review of Literature on Teenage Mothers with Obstetric Fistula in Africa

Abstract

Background: This review synthesises existing evidence on the perspectives and coping mechanisms of teenage mothers awaiting obstetric fistula repair across African contexts.

Methods: A scoping review design was employed, drawing from 50 peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025. Data were extracted on study design, thematic focus, and key findings. Thematic synthesis was conducted to identify recurring patterns in lived experiences, coping mechanisms, and reintegration pathways among adolescent and adult survivors.

Results: Six core themes emerged: psychosocial and emotional trauma, stigma and social exclusion, economic deprivation, healthcare access barriers, coping mechanisms, and reintegration interventions. Adolescent mothers reported more severe psychological distress, educational disruption, and social isolation compared to adult women. Coping mechanisms were primarily faith-based, peer-oriented, or avoidance-driven. Adaptive responses such as peer support and vocational training improved reintegration, while maladaptive coping (e.g., withdrawal, secrecy) hindered recovery. Methodological findings indicated that most studies employed qualitative designs, yielding rich experiential insights but limited empirical evaluation of intervention outcomes.

Conclusion: Obstetric fistula among teenage mothers represents a complex interplay of medical, social, and economic marginalisation. While resilience and faith sustain many survivors, reintegration remains constrained by stigma, poverty, and weak health systems.