A Retrospective Study of the Prevalence of Female Infertility in the Southwest Region, Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Infertility is a major reproductive health care problem that affects the wellbeing of women. Although views vary between cultures, infertility is seen almost exclusively as a woman's problem in Africa with secondary infertility being the most prevalent while sexually transmitted infections the most investigated cause of infertility. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of female infertility in the Limbe and Buea Regional hospitals of the Southwest region of Cameroon from 2015-2019. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive design was used which involved studying clinical files of women within the reproductive age group (15 -49) with infertility problems, at the gynaecological and maternity units of the selected hospitals in the Southwest region of Cameroon over a period of five years (2015)(2016)(2017)(2018)(2019). Data were collected from all files included in the study. Results: A total of 4609 females visited the two hospitals for investigation and 1111 files were identified with infertility giving prevalence of 24 %. Three hundred and forty-three (343; 31%) presented with primary infertility while seven hundred and sixty-eight (768; 69%) had secondary infertility. The average age of affected female was 31.5 making age the predisposing factor of infertility because after the peak of 25 years, infertility started decreasing. Employment with salary and the association between diagnosis and age had a p-value < 0.005 which was considered significant in this study. Conclusion: This study found that the prevalence of infertility in Southwest Cameroon is high with secondary infertility being most predominant among infertile women with a prevalence of 69% caused principally by sexually transmitted infection (STIs). Age and occupation were significantly associated with infertility. Routine laboratory screening of women of reproductive age may reduce the high prevalence of infertility in the study area.

Enhancing women's knowledge and awareness of preconception care: promoting optimal reproductive health outcomes

“…According to a study conducted in Morocco, 65.2% of women came within the first five years of marriage, while 34.8% came after five years. 14 In our study, most couples had primary infertility (52%), whereas 48% had secondary infertility. In the Tiagha AR et al study, secondary infertility was more prevalent (69%).…”

“…In the Tiagha AR et al study, secondary infertility was more prevalent (69%). 14 Maximum cases of infertility in the present study were due to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), i.e., 60% (non-tubercular-40% and 20% tubercular). PCOS in 16%, hypothyroidism in 12%, and endometriosis in 12% were also recorded.…”

The burden of infertility in North-Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a High-Fertility Region: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In Sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of infertility can exceed 25% of couples in some regions [13]. If infertility prevalence varies widely in Nigeria, from 14.8-51.8% in some regions, it is estimated at around 25% in Cameroon [14][15][16]. In South Africa, the estimated prevalence of infertility among women of childbearing age is approximately 32% [17].…”

Psychological Distress of Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology: Psychosocial Management Modalities of Clients

“…It is a special reproductive health defect that is not life-threatening but has a considerable, detrimental influence on couples, their families and society. It is the inability of a couple to achieve conception over a period of one year without contraception (in a woman under 35 years of age or 6 months in a woman above 35 years of age) despite adequate, regular (3-4 times per week) and unprotected sexual intercourse (Tiagha et al, 2020). The World Health Organization has ranked infertility in both men and women as a public health issue because it affects millions of people (WHO, 2020).…”

“…The problem affects up to 15% of couples in the United States of America. In Nigeria and parts of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Cameroon, the infertility rate could exceed 30% and hence constitute a major public health problem (Tiagha, 2020). Infertility constitutes 24-59% of gynecological consultations in Nigeria (Bello et al, 2021).…”