Time-to-Pregnancy and Associated Factors among Couples with Natural Planned Conception in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Waiting time-to-pregnancy (TTP) of couples is closely related to fecundability. Knowledge on TTP helps clinicians to individualize care for sub-fertility/infertility. Published studies on TTP are very limited in African setting. This cross-sectional study assessed TTP and associated factors among couples with natural planned conception in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data was collected interviewing a representative sample of 1150 pregnant women. The mean and median TTPs were 6.4 (±9.4) and 3.0 months respectively. Only 11.8% (136/1,150) achieved pregnancy in the first month of attempt. Majority, 81.7% (938/1,150), achieved pregnancy by 12 months. The odds of sub-fecundity (TTP more than 12 months) was lowest in age group of 25-29 years (AOR 0.37; 95% CI 0.20-0.70). Women working more than 60 hours/week (AOR 1.87; 95% CI 1.02-3.42), who drink more than 3 cups of coffee/day (AOR 1.87; 95% CI 1.02-3.42), and whose partners chew khat (AOR 1.66; 95% CI 1.06-2.60) had significantly higher odds of sub-fecundity. Use of contraceptive implants (AOR 0.28; 95% CI 0.15-0.51) and pills (AOR 0.53; 95% CI 0.32-0.89) before the index pregnancy had significantly lower odds of sub-fecundity. This study did not consider amount, duration and frequency of khat chewing, hence its dose dependent effect on fecundability/TTP needs further investigation.

Keywords: Time-to-pregnancy, TTP, Fecundability, Sub-fecundity, Khat