Determinants of Infertility Among Married Women Visiting Public Hospitals of Lahore

Abstract

Infertility can be explained as unable to get pregnant after a sensible period of time of unprotected intercourse without contraception. Objective: To find out the determinants of infertility among married women visiting public Hospitals, Lahore Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by visiting Public Hospitals, Lahore. 100 married women were selected through non-probability convenient sampling technique. Data was collected through pretested questionnaire. All adult married women of infertility from both indoor and outdoor department of medical and gynae units were included. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 21.0. Results: Among the participants, 22% of infertile females were between 20-26 years, 54% infertile females were between 27-32 years, 20% infertile females were between 33-38 years, 3% infertile females were between 39-44 years and 1% infertile females were above 45 years. The prevalence of infertility was high in females aged between 27-32 years. 42% were overweight, underweight were 19%, 13% were normal and obese were 26% Conclusions: Study concluded that obesity, overweight, underweight, poor eating habits, low socioeconomic status, low family income, repeated mumps, stress, smoking, work overload, polycystic ovary syndrome, use of protection to avoid pregnancy and use of contraceptive pills were the risk factors of infertility. Lack of physical activity, inadequate intake of nutrients, dysmenorrhea, stress, bathing too much, exposure to chemicals through work or lifestyle, increasing age, irregular menstrual cycle, pain or cramps during menstrual cycle were also responsible for infertility. Majority of infertile females were not consuming meat, chicken, nuts, eggs, milk, fruits in adeqate amount needed by the body for   proper functioning.