It is well-documented that obstetric fistula, a severe birth injury, is caused by a prolonged obstructed labour that has not been relieved on time. Lay people often understand causation differently. This study sought to explore the awareness and local meanings attached to obstetric fistula in the rural parts of Malawi. We conducted interviews with key informants and focus group discussions with community members in purposively selected communities in the central region of Malawi. We categorised data using Nvivo 10 and conducted a thematic analysis. Findings indicate that there is considerable awareness about fistula in local communities; however, community members have very limited knowledge about its causes. Participants associated obstetric fistula with sexually transmitted diseases, the woman's laziness to push during labour, witchcraft and the husband's infidelity, which contributed to the isolation of the affected women. Strategies to eradicate obstetric fistula in general, and its social consequences in particular, should include more information on causes and prevention. This may help to dispel misconceptions about fistula, increase acceptance and support for women with fistula, and subsequently improve the quality of their lives and the lives of girls and women who may suffer from this condition in the future.
Keywords: Malawi; beliefs; community perceptions; obstetric fistula; vesico-vaginal fistula.