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.