Prevalence and Risk Factors of Infertility in a Southern Port City of Iran

Background: Infertility is a universal problem with very limited scientific information relating to the factors that place men andwomen at risk of infertility.Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of infertility in Bandar Abbas, a Southern port city of Iran.Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study using a face-to-face questionnaire survey from September ۲۰۱۷ to March ۲۰۱۸among ۱,۵۰۰ women at childbearing age.Results: Data from ۱۴۶۹ valid questionnaires were finally assessed. There were ۲۲۴ cases of current infertility with an incidence of۱۵.۲۴% (۹۵% CI, ۱۴.۷۹% - ۱۵.۴۴%), including ۱۵۱ primary (۱۰.۲۷%; ۹۵% CI, ۱۰.۰۹% - ۱۱.۱۴%) and ۷۳ secondary (۴.۹۶%; ۹۵% CI, ۴.۷۶% - ۵.۰۹%)infertilities. According to the univariate logistic regression analysis, age of men and women, women’s occupation, men engaged inhigh-temperature professions, age at marriage, menstrual cycle pattern, previous contraceptive usage, history of infertility in family,previous abortions, previous cesarean sections, number of pregnancies, previous vaginal delivery, smoking, physical activity,and BMI were significantly associated with infertility (all P ۰.۰۵). To determine the independent risk factors for infertility, multivariatelogistic regression analysiswas performed. Advanced age, heavy physical activity, obesity,menengaged in high-temperatureprofessions, previous abortions, and previous cesarean sections were the risk factors for infertility. The number of pregnancies andprevious vaginal deliveries were protective factors.Conclusions: Although infertility risk factors are complex and multiple, and the investigated region does not represent all areas ofIran, the results can contribute to the overall reproductive health improvement among Iranians.

Keywords:

Infertility , Risk Factors , Bandar Abbas , Iran