Prevalence, Types and Contributing Factors of Female Infertility at Orotta National Referral Maternity Hospital, Eritrea: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Female infertility is a distressing event to couples, and it is mainly caused by ovulatory disorders, pituitary gland dysfunction, fallopian tube blockage, and uterine abnormalities. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and types of female infertility among patients visiting Orotta National Referral Maternity Hospital.

METHODOLOGY: This analytic cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted among patients at Orotta National Referral Maternity Hospital. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Patients were investigated with hormone analysis and hysterosalpingography. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 26, bivariable and multivariable analysis, in which a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

The prevalence of infertility was reported as 11.6% and 80.8% had primary infertility. Besides, bilaterally blocked tubes were reported in 4.9%. Maternal age greater than 35 years (AOR: 7.99; 95% CI: 1.20-53.25, p<0.03) showed a significant association with secondary type of infertility. Besides, patients from the Gash Barka region (AOR: 2.55; 95% CI: 1.07-6.07; p<0.03), and menstrual disorder (AOR: 20.35; 95% CI: 7.35-56.39; p<0.001) were found as risk factors of ovulatory dysfunction, but body mass index of 18.5-25 (AOR: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.04-0.88; p<0.03) were protective. Furthermore, urban residence (AOR: 4.1; 95% CI: 1.71-9.67; p<0.001) and previous pelvic inflammatory diseases (AOR: 2.96; 95% CI: 1.03-8.46; p<0.04) were associated with higher rate of female tubal infertility.

CONCLUSION

Primary infertility was predominant, and maternal age > 35 years was associated with secondary infertility. Besides, abnormal body mass index and irregularity of menses were related to increased risk for ovarian infertility. In addition, urban residence and previous pelvic inflammatory diseases were risk factors for female tubal infertility. Enhancing community awareness about the risk factors of infertility and early treatment of pelvic inflammatory diseases is highly recommended. Determining the risk factors for female infertility in the Eritrean context is essential to guide clinicians' management and to review the existing infertility guidelines and treatment modalities for further policy implementation. This result has clinical significance of developing guidelines on women's health.