Obstetric fistula is one of the most severe childbirth-related complications. The small size and physical weakness of many young pregnant girls makes it extremely difficult for them to give birth to a child. Delivery is therefore often prolonged. During childbirth, girls' perineum often tears, leaving holes between the bladder and/or the rectum and the vagina. The young mothers from then on lose control over their bladder and bowels, are unable to bear more children, and find sexual intercourse painful. Such fistula are common in Somalia, Ethiopia, most Sahelian countries, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, but particularly so in Niger. 23,000 girls and women in Niger have the condition, or 1
来源：AIDS analysis Africa 1995 年 5卷 5期
