The risk factors of infertility in women referred to Ilam health care centers in 2013: A cross-sectional study

Infertility is a major problem in today´s medicine. Infertility is known a health indicator and the right to infertility treatment is part of Millennium Development Goal. The present study aimed to determine the risk factors of infertility, in women referred to both public and private health centers in Ilam.

A cross-sectional study was carried out among women attending in both public and private health centers in Ilam, in 2013. A simple random sampling method was used. Inclusion criteria consisted of married women in all age groups. Women with marriage times less than 12 months were excluded. Demographic characteristics and main data about reproductive events, contraceptive use, medical and surgical histories and familial histories were recorded. Differences were regarded statistically significant with an alpha error of 0.05.

Overall, 11.5% of all participants experienced of primary or secondary infertility in their life. A significant relationship reported between age, smoking, women´s occupation, husband´s occupation, women´s education, husband´s education with infertility (P < 0.05).

Ageing, smoking, occupation, level of education and age at marriage are effective factors on the prevalence of infertility. Therefore, education about the risk factors of infertility is necessary for couples receiving primary health care.