Infertility and associated factors in three hospitals in Douala, Cameroon: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aim: We determined the prevalence and factors associated with couple infertility in three hospitals in Douala, Cameroon.
 Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from December 18th 2015 to March 18th 2016 in three public hospitals in Douala. Three hundred and sixty participants were studied prospectively for associated fac- tors using a multivariate logistic regression model and 4732 files were studied retrospectively for the prevalence of infertility. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
 Results: The prevalence of couple infertility was 19.2%. In logistic models, the factors which independently increased the risk of couple infertility were a history of reproductive tract infection/STI, a history of uterine fibroids, a history of dys- menorrhea and abortion for the females while for males it was a history of mumps, erectile dysfunction and exposure to chemicals/toxic substances/pesticides.
 Conclusion: One in every five couples in this study was infertile. Several factors affect the risks associated with couple in- fertility. The identification of these factors could help detect subgroups of couples at high risk of infertility. Reproductive health education, screening programmes for STI’s that may lead to infertility should be offered to couples.
 Keywords: Couple infertility; prevalence; associated factors; Douala; Cameroon.

Magnitude of infertility and associated factors among women attending selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

“…The finding of this study is higher than that of a study performed in China in which the prevalence of infertility was 22.1% [ 33 ]. It is also higher than a similar study done in Cameroon in which the prevalence of infertility was 19.2% [ 34 ], also higher than a study done in Burkina Faso[ 35 ]. However, the finding of this study is much lower than the finding of a study done in Central Africa with a prevalence of 61% secondary infertility.…”

Trends in the burden of female infertility among adults aged 20–49 years during 1990–2019: an analysis of data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

“…Several studies conducted in regions such as Asia, Latin America and Africa 10 12 have identified various risk factors associated with FI. These factors include exposure to toxic substances, HIV infection, reproductive tract infections, early age at first birth, inadequate care following unsafe abortions and postpartum infections.…”

“…These factors include exposure to toxic substances, HIV infection, reproductive tract infections, early age at first birth, inadequate care following unsafe abortions and postpartum infections. The agrarian nature of these countries often results in poor health and hygiene practices, further increasing women’s exposure to harmful chemicals 10 and subsequently raising the risk of FI. Moreover, the prevalence of HIV infection in these regions, particularly in Africa, not only impacts fertility directly but also heightens the likelihood of other reproductive tract infections.…”