Due to these problems in estimating obstructed labour incidence from epidemiological
studies, it has been assumed as in GBD1990 that the incidence of obstructed labour varies
between 3 and 6 per cent (Table 3.3). The lower figure was applied in more developed
regions (Regions A to C) and the lower figured to less developed areas where early
marriage and childhood malnutrition are more prevalent (sub-regions D and E). The
proportion of births within a health facility by sub-region was used as a proxy for timely
access to treatment (caesarean section, instrumental delivery, symphysiotomy) to estimate
the incidence of neglected obstructed labour (Table 3.3). Where health facility births were
greater than 95%, treatment coverage was assumed to be 100%.