By Marion Wayua
One in every six people have experienced infertility once in their lifetime, A new report has shown.
According to WHO infertility estimates, infertility prevalence recorded is highest in Africa (16.4percent), followed by the Western Pacific (13.0percent), then Europe (12.4percent). In regions like America and Eastern Mediterranean, the prevalence is low with (10.4percent) and (10.0percent) respectively.
Global estimates of infertility are needed to guide planning and coordination of infertility prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts, the report adds.
“Understanding the magnitude of infertility is critical for developing appropriate interventions, for monitoring access to quality fertility care, and for mitigating risk factors for and consequences of infertility,” the report stated.
Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system, defined by the failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. It can cause significant distress, stigma, financial hardship, affecting people’s mental and psychosocial well-being.
Fertility care is a core part of sexual and reproductive health, and responding to infertility can mitigate gender inequality. According to the report, the data recorded was from an observed pattern. More female respondents participated as opposed to male respondents.
The infertility prevalence estimates show that a large number of people in different regions of the world experience infertility and require infertility prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
“Valid and reliable prevalence estimates are needed to understand the burden of infertility and to inform policies, advocacy, service provision, and monitoring of fertility care.”
The report adds that lifetime prevalence of infertility is estimated to be 17.5 percent while the period prevalence of infertility is at 12.6 percent.
Lifetime prevalence by definition is when a proportion of a population have never experienced infertility in their life. Whereas, period prevalence is a proportion that has experienced infertility at a given time in their life, either currently or in the past.
In most countries, in order to make informed policies and provide services that ease the burden of infertility, monitoring and having the right data is essential. Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infertility is often not prioritized, the report reads in part.
“Addressing infertility is an important component of sexual and reproductive health and rights.”
The number of lifetime and period estimates vary by region. In lifetime infertility, the Western Pacific Region is the highest (23.2 percent), followed by America (20.0percent), then Europe (16.5percent).
Africa’s prevalence is at (13.1 percent and the lowest magnitude recorded is the Eastern Mediterranean Region at (10.7 percent).
According to the report, infertility prevalence is similar across countries with different income levels.
“In high-income countries, lifetime infertility prevalence was 17.8percent compared to 16.5percent for low- and middle-income countries. Period infertility prevalence was 12.6percent for high-income countries and 12.6percent for low- and middle-income countries.”
