FACTORS AFFECTING INFERTILITY'S PREVALENCE AND CAUSES IN A PUBLIC HEALTH ENVIRONMENT

Dr. D.M. Ravichand*

ABSTRACT

The study focuses primarily on the causes, prevalence, and management of infertility. Research from earlier studies demonstrates new assisted reproductive techniques that offered better treatment options and inspired hope. Demographic changes are a result of infertility. The study's objectives were to determine the prevalences and individual factors that contributed to infertility in the population visiting a tertiary level public health centre, as well as to understand the causes of infertility. This cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in a government-affiliated hospital and infertility clinic. 150 couples who sought evaluation and treatment for infertility were included in the study. Based on the couple's medical history and examination results, the cause of their infertility was determined. Each cause's frequency was assessed. The results were collated, and it was determined how common each particular factor was. The prevalence of primary infertility accounted 53.4% and was higher than that of secondary infertility i.e., 46.6%. Most of the cases were due to female factors, with polycystic ovarian syndrome being the main contributor (41%). Both slim and obese polycystic ovarian syndrome subjects had infertility. Infertility caused by the tubal factor was strongly correlated with infectious causes such pelvic inflammatory disease and tuberculosis. As the marriage age rose, the causes of infertility altered. Polycystic ovarian syndrome was the primary cause in marriages of less than five years, however afterwards, male factor and unexplained infertility were the most frequently observed causes. 32% of cases of infertility were caused by male factors, and reports of abnormal semen were highly correlated with smoking and drinking. The age of the partner and the age of marriage affects the causes of infertility differently. While polycystic ovarian syndromecontinues to be the main contributing factor, infections are a significant impact in tubal factor infertility, and tobacco and alcohol make the male factor worse. A third of the cases are still unsolved. Male factor infertility, oligospermia, prevalence, lean and obese polycystic ovarian syndrome, and public health sector.

Keywords: Prevalence, public health sector, Oligospermia, Infertility, PCOS, male factor and female factor.