INFLUENCE OF PERCEIVED STIGMA ON HEALTH‑SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG WOMEN LIVING WITH OBSTETRIC FISTULA IN KAJIADO SOUTH SUB- COUNTY, KAJIADO COUNTY, KENYA.

Obstetric fistula remains a major maternal health challenge, particularly in low-resource settings, where social stigma continues to hinder timely healthcare utilization. This study investigated the influence of perceived stigma on health-seeking behaviour among women living with obstetric fistula in Kajiado South Sub-County, Kajiado County, Kenya. The study was anchored on Stigma Theory and the Health Belief Model and adopted a convergent parallel mixed methods research design. The target population comprised 255 participants, including 200 women living with obstetric fistula, 25 healthcare providers, and 30 Community Health Volunteers. A sample of 133 women was selected using simple random sampling, while five key informants were selected purposively. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and key informant interview guides. A pilot study involving 13 women and three key informants at Kenyatta National Hospital was conducted to ascertain the validity and reliability of the research instruments. Quantitative data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 29 through descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation, and simple linear regression analysis, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The study established that perceived stigma was prevalent among women living with obstetric fistula, with respondents reporting fear of negative judgement, gossip, ridicule, social rejection, and discriminatory treatment. Inferential analysis revealed a strong negative and statistically significant relationship between perceived stigma and health-seeking behaviour (r = -0.684, p < 0.001). Simple linear regression further showed that perceived stigma significantly predicted health-seeking behaviour (β = -0.684, p < 0.001), explaining 46.8% of the variation in health-seeking behaviour (R² = 0.468). The study concludes that perceived stigma is a significant barrier to timely healthcare utilization among women living with obstetric fistula. It recommends that the Ministry of Health, Kajiado County Government, and development partners strengthen community-based stigma reduction interventions, enhance respectful and confidential obstetric fistula care, and expand community outreach programmes to encourage early identification, referral, and treatment of affected women.