TITLE:
Prevalence, Causes and Associated Factors of Common Causes of Infertility among Women Attending Tertiary Maternity Hospitals in Kampala, Uganda
AUTHORS:
Wanda Faustino, Aminah Najjemba Sembatya, Musa Sekikubo, Sebastian Gidlof, Ntuyo Peter, Josaphat Kayogoza Byamugisha
KEYWORDS:
Infertility, Uganda, Tubal Blockage, PCOS, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.15 No.12,
December
23,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Infertility is a significant public health concern affecting 12.6% of reproductive-aged couples globally, with higher rates in Africa (16.4%). Despite its psychosocial and economic burden, data on infertility prevalence, causes, and associated factors in Uganda remain scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, causes, and factors associated with female infertility among women seeking care at two tertiary hospitals in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Kawempe National Referral Hospital (KNRH) and Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital (MSWNH) from November 2023 to February 2024. A structured questionnaire was administered to 211 women diagnosed with infertility. Data on socio-demographics, reproductive history, and clinical factors were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Results: Among 17,146 women of reproductive age, the prevalence of infertility was 5%. The leading causes were fallopian tubal blockage (59%) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) (23%). Factors significantly associated with tubal infertility included: Early age at marriage (35) as a key risk factor (OR = 13, 95% CI: 3.0 - 56.0, *p* = 0.001). Conclusion: Infertility affects 1 in 20 women in this Ugandan cohort, primarily due to tubal factors and PCOS. Modifiable risks such as STIs, early marriage, and obesity underscore the need for targeted interventions, including STI prevention, delayed marriage, and lifestyle modifications.