Infertility in Rural Ethiopia
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Date
1999-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Infertility is a world-wide problem affecting 8-12% of married couples. The prevalence of infertility in some areas of the sub-Sahara region reaches as high as 30% . Much of the literature on infertility deals with the problems of infertility for women in the western countries and little is known as to what puts women in sub-Sahara Africa vulnerable to infertility and as to how perceive the causes o f infertility. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in rural Butajira, Ethiopia, in the period between the 13th of May and 23rd of June, 1999 to determine t he magnitude and potential risk factors of infertility. A total of 901 women in the age group 20 to 29 years were enrolled into the study from surveillance register. The prevalence of primary and secondary infertility was 2.9% a nd 16.1% respectively. Comparison was made between cases of secondary infertility and fertile women about potential risk factors. pregnancy wastage, age at first marriage less than 16 years, STDs occurring after t he last pregnancy, polygamous marriage, and low level education of the husbands were found significantly associated with secondary infertility. Most women with the problem of infertility in the area visit the witch-craft , more often than the health institutions. It is recommended that public health officials must increase the access to and strengthen programs aiming at the reduction of post-partum and post- abortal infections and STDs. Due attention should be given for developing and implementing protocols for evaluating and managing infertility.
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Infertility ,Rural Ethiopia