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Azam, M.I.D., Roozbeh, N., Yaghoobi, H., Soltani, S., Dashti, S., Shahrahmani, N. and Banaei, M. (2019) Etiology and Risk Factors Associated with Infertility. International Journal of Women’s Health and Reproduction Sciences, 7, 346-353.
https://doi.org/10.15296/ijwhr.2019.57

has been cited by the following article:

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

  AUTHORS: Akah Roland Tiagha, Moses Ngemenya, Jude Eteneneng Enoh, Jules Clement Assob Nguedia

  KEYWORDS: Female Infertility, Laboratory Investigations, SW Region Cameroon

  JOURNAL NAME: Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vol.10 No.12, December 25, 2020

  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 (2015-2019). 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 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.