Maheu-Giroux, MathieuFilippi, VéroniqueMaulet, NathalieSamadoulougou, SékouCastro, MarciaMeda, NicolasPouliot, MarièveKirakoya-Samadoulougou, Fati2016-05-022016Maheu-Giroux, Mathieu, Véronique Filippi, Nathalie Maulet, Sékou Samadoulougou, Marcia C. Castro, Nicolas Meda, Mariève Pouliot, and Fati Kirakoya-Samadoulougou. 2016. “Risk factors for vaginal fistula symptoms in Sub-Saharan Africa: a pooled analysis of national household survey data.” BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 16 (1): 82. doi:10.1186/s12884-016-0871-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12884-016-0871-6.1471-2393http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:26860173Background: Vaginal fistula (VF) is one of the most severe maternal morbidities with the immediate consequence of chronic urinary and/or fecal incontinence. The epidemiological evidence regarding risk factors for VF is dominated by facility-based studies. Our aim is to estimate the effect size of selected risk factors for VF using population-based survey data. Methods: We pooled all available Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicators Cluster Surveys carried out in sub-Saharan Africa that collected information on VF symptoms. Bayesian matched logistic regression models that accounted for the imperfect sensitivity and specificity of self-reports of VF symptoms were used for effect size estimation. Results: Up to 27 surveys were pooled, including responses from 332,889 women. Being able to read decreased the odds of VF by 13 % (95 % Credible Intervals (CrI): 1 % to 23 %), while higher odds of VF symptoms were observed for women of short stature (<150 cm) (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.31; 95 % CrI: 1.02-1.68), those that had experienced intimate partner sexual violence (OR = 2.13; 95 % CrI: 1.60-2.86), those that reported sexual debut before the age of 14 (OR = 1.41; 95 % CrI: 1.16-1.71), and those that reported a first birth before the age of 14 (OR = 1.39; 95 % CrI: 1.04-1.82). The effect of post-primary education, female genital mutilation, and having problems obtaining permission to seek health care were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Increasing literacy, delaying age at first sex/birth, and preventing sexual violence could contribute to the elimination of obstetric fistula. Concomitant improvements in access to quality sexual and reproductive healthcare are, however, required to end fistula in sub-Saharan Africa. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12884-016-0871-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.en-USObstetric fistulavesicovaginal fistularectovaginal fistulareproductive healthsexual healthwomen’s healthJournal Article2016-05-0210.1186/s12884-016-0871-6