Prevalence, etiology and factors associated with the common causes of infertility among women seeking care at Kawempe National Referral Hospital and Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Infertility is a growing health concern affecting 12.6% of reproductive aged couples globally. While there are numerous causes and factors that contribute to infertility, the prevalence and specific causes of infertility and associated factors in the Ugandan population is not well understood. There is no study that has been done on the prevalence, causes and factors associated with common causes of infertility among women in Uganda. Objective – the aim of the study was to establish the prevalence and identify the causes of infertility and factors associated with common causes of infertility among women seeking care at Kawempe National Referral Hospital (KNRH) and Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital (MSWNH). Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital and Kawempe National Referral Hospital. A structured questionnaire was administered to 211 women with infertility to study the causes and factors associated with common causes of infertility. The variables included socio-demographic characteristics, history of Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases (PID) Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), body mass index (BMI), were assessed by a validated questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Results: Out of the 17,146 women of childbearing age who visited KNRH and MSWNH hospitals, infertility was present in 5% of them, among the causes of infertility, fallopian tubal blockage 59% and Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) 23% accounted for the majority of the causes. History of PID AOR 7.5(95%CI), age at marriage less than 20 years AOR 11.603(95%CI), BMI >35 OR 13(95%CI), presence of STIs were significantly associated with infertility Conclusion: The findings revealed a substantial burden of female infertility, fallopian tubal blockage and PCOS being the leading causes of infertility. These results underscore the complexity of infertility and emphasize the need for comprehensive approaches to its prevention, diagnosis, and management. Efforts should focus on raising awareness about modifiable risk factors such as early marriage and obesity, STIs as well as promoting access to timely and appropriate healthcare services for the prevention like STIs screening, cheaper diagnostic tests, and treatment.