Profile of married women with infertility residing in rural area –a cross sectional study

Abstract

Infertility affects nearly 8% to10% of couples worldwide. According to WHO globally over 60 to 80 million couples suffer with infertility among which 10% are women who are inflicted.Infertility is a serious public health issue with social consequences but often neglected as it does not cause physical disability. According to WHO globally primary infertility accounts to 2% and secondary accounts 11% respectively. It is said that approximately, onethird of the causes are due to male factors, one-third due to female factors, and the remaining a combination of both male as well as female factors and in 20% of cases it is unexplained. Various demographic factors such as employment, socio-economic status, higher educational level, nuclear family are said to be associated with primary infertility. Factors such as unsafe practices during childbirth and postpartum period by health care providers lead to pelvic infection, tubal blockage, and infertility thereby causing bilateral tubal occlusion which is the most common cause of secondary infertility. Infertility is a silent cry where the couple together with their family suffer. The “blame” of being childless is often borne by the female though both male and female are affected socially,emotionally due to social stigma. Parenthood is highly emphasized in each and every society, due to emotional and social pressure couples face a sense of failure and are treated as outcast. Infertility leads to societal repercussions, sexual dysfunctions, personal suffering and marital discords which isthe most common problem among couples.Hence couples seek various treatment options for infertility such as traditional methods, and religious practices Though Reproductive and child health (RCH) addresses reproductive health of women there is limited focus on services for infertile couples in the Reproductive and Child Health Programme (RCH).Infertility issues have largely been ignored in the government policy in India. This study is being conducted to know the profile of married woman with infertility, their treatment seeking behaviour and their experiences of being infertile.