Table 2 Characteristics of studies reporting fistula incidence included in the review

Community based studies

Vangeenderhuysen et al., 2001 [22]

Eight centres (urban and rural) in six countries in West Africa

Prospective cohort study of all pregnant women found by a door to door census of households followed up from antepartum to two months postpartum.

Women reporting gynaecological problems. Fistula assessed at last contact 60 days after delivery

2

19,694

0.10 (0.01, 0.3)

Ferdous et al., 2012 [33]

Matlab, Bangladesh. Rural

Prospective cohort of all women with obstetric complications, a perinatal death or caesarean section, and random sample of women with uncomplicated births.

Physical examination at health centre from six to nine weeks postpartum

0

1,162

0 (0, 3.17)

Fronczak et al., 2005 [20]

Urban slums in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Prospective community-based study of women completing at least seven months of pregnancy. Women excluded if birth identified more than 21 days postpartum. Sample selected using multi-stage probability.

Physical exam conducted by female physicians conducted one-month postpartum

0

557

0 (0.0. 6.6)

Studies with hospital based recruitment

Filippi et al., 2007 [30]

Seven public urban and rural hospitals in Burkina Faso

All women with severe obstetric complications delivering in hospitals and two controls per case. Interviews conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months after pregnancy.

Medical examinations

1

1,014

0.99 (0.03, 5.48)

Filippi et al., 2010 [31]

Cotonou, Porto Novo and neighbouring communities in south Benin

Prospective cohort study of women with severe obstetric complications and a sample of women with uncomplicated childbirth.

Medical examination with obstetricians

1

709

1.41 (0.04, 7.83)

Prual et al., 1998 [32]

Niamey city, Niger. Urban

All deliveries in six maternity wards, and all complications referred to the two referral maternity wards occurring from 28^th week antenatal to 42^nd day postpartum.

Medical examinations

2

4,081

0.49 (0.06, 1.77)