Health Characteristics of Infertile Women and Their Socio- Demographic Correlates In Al-Anbar Provinc

Abstract

Background: Infertility is a global public health concern affecting approximately a tenth of couples worldwide. The incidence of infertility in a population has important demographic and social associations and implications. Many studies have focused on the medical aspects of infertility but have rarely examined the socio-demographic determinants and correlates.Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore and analyze reproductive, demographic and social correlates of infertility among a sample of infertile women attending the infertility center in AlAnbar Province.Patients and methods: A case control study conducted in the infertility center at Al-Ramadi Maternity and Children Teaching Hospital during the period of September 2013 to August 2014. The study consisted of 150 cases of primary and secondary infertile, and 301 healthy fertile women. A structured questionnaire, including various reproductive and socio-demographic variables, was developed and designed for the purpose of the study. Bivariate analyses included estimation of odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI) for odds ratio were performed.Results: There were significant associations between female infertility and being from rural areas, low education, unemployment, age at marriage > 25 years, second marriage for a woman; and being a second or third wife. Infertile women were strongly significantly different from their fertile counterparts in having low income, bad quality of life, not satisfied with their daily activities, feeling of much life stress, having poor and irrational nutrition, bad relationship with their husbands; and not contented with sexual intimacy. Body mass index > 30 was found to increase the risk of infertility about 15 times, while smoking did not have a significant relation with infertility. All women with primary and secondary infertility felt that their condition affected their social life negatively.Conclusion: Female infertility is associated with various demographic and social correlates leading to bad quality of life and much stress. Thus, couples' education and sympathetic marital counseling should be an essential component of any program of infertility management.