Assisted reproductive technology in Western Algeria

Abstract

Infertility is a major public health problem that Assisted reproductive technology (ART) helps remedying, allowing infertile couples realizing their parental project. In Algeria, the infertility rate is about 15%. Thereupon, several ART national centers have emerged. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ART activities, provide quantified data to understand the ART practice in western Algeria and compare our results abroad. We conducted a retrospective study on 1930 women treated for an ART at the EL MAWLOUD fertility center in Oran from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020. Our study showed the patients’ average age as 33.42 and the ICSI as the commonest ART technique in our center with 90% frequency. The pregnancy rate equals 26.59% by insemination in IUI, and 41.25 % by puncture in IVF and ICSI, i.e. an average success rate similar in Europe and USA. This study elucidates the use of ART techniques (2019-2020) in western Algeria. They are satisfactory in our region compared to international data in the literature. However, ART remains embryonic in Algeria, regarding mainly the exorbitant prices of these techniques and the non-reimbursement of this act by the National Social Security Fund, which handicaps couples with medium and low incomes.