Prevalence of Primary and Secondary Infertility among 18-49 Years Old Iranian Women: a Population-based Study in Four Selected Provinces

Infertility is a health problem steadily growing throughout the world. Infertility can cause several emotional، economic and social consequences. Accurate and precise estimation of infertility prevalence is necessary to define burden of the disease as well as to assess the need for health care services. This was a population-based study conducted among currently married women (n=888) aged 18-49 years. The participants were selected from four provinces using quota stratified cluster sampling. The custom-designed questionnaire was completed by trained interviewers. The mean age of the women participated in the study was 34. 8±6. 9 years old. The rate of primary، secondary and lifetime infertilities were 21. 1%، 7. 8% and 6. 4%، respectively. The most important cause of primary and secondary infertilities was menstrual dysfunction. The marriage age and education level of women had a significant statistical relationship with primary infertility (after adjustment) (P<0. 5). The prevalence of infertility varies depending on the definition. The socio-demographic factors can influence the prevalence. The high prevalence of infertility threatens women in our country. Providing information about influential factors on infertility can help women who postpone the age for marriage in decision-making on the time of childbearing.