Aetiological Factors in Female Infertility: The ABSUTH Experience

Abstract

To determine the prevalence of infertility in a traditional Ibo society using Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba as a case study and to identify the common causes of female infertility in Aba, a retrospective study of patient investigated and treated for infertility from 1st January to 31st December 1996 was done. A total of 1487 patients attended the gynaecological clinic of ABSUTH within the study period. Three hundred and thirty-five (22.5%) presented with infertility. Primary infertility occurred in 28.3% while secondary infertility occurred in (71.7%). The peak incidence of infertility was in the age group of 25 to 29 years. The major factors in female's infertility were: male factors 195 (58.2%), tubal factors 103 (30.6%) and ovarian factors 80 (23.8%). Twelve per cent of the patients had more than one factors operative. Infertility is a major gyanecological problem in Igbo society. Sexually transmitted disease injuries and infections sustained during abortion and labour may have a significant influence on the high level of infertility found in our analysis.


Key Words: Female infertility, Igbo society, Aetiology and Prevention.


Jnl of Medical Investigation and Practice Vol.2 2001: 46-47