International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Both cultural and economic factors mean fistulas are practically unheard of in the developed world, it has been reported.

According to Hanna Ingber Win, Huffington Post's world editor, the greater availability of medical treatment and skilled birth attendance in richer countries helps avoid most labour complications, while fistulas are also avoided because women tend to give birth at a later age.

She explained that this latter point is crucial, because in Africa and Asia where women often marry very young, their bodies are not sufficiently developed to cope with physical relationships and especially not childbirth.

Where complications do arise in the developed world, Ms Ingber Win noted that it is usually possible to have a Caesarean section.

This method of delivery – which occurs in around 15 per cent of cases – eliminates the risk of the mother suffering a serious obstetric injury such as fistula during birth.

Last month, Population Media reported that fistulae continue to affect many women in Nigeria, where a lack of medical attention during labour often leads to stillbirths and obstetric injuries.