Infertility in Central Africa

Ulla Larsen, Harvard University

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of primary and secondary infertility in the four Central African countries of Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic and Gabon. METHODS: Primary infertility was approximated by the percentage of women childless after at least five years of marriage. The percentage with no birth at least five years subsequent to a previous birth was considered to have secondary infertility. Logistic regression models were estimated to determine the risk factors of primary and secondary infertility. RESULTS: The prevalence of infertility was highest in Central African Republic and lowest in Chad. Women married more than once vs. only once and formerly married women vs. women living with their husband had higher odds of primary and secondary infertility. In contrast, place of residence, religion, education and socioeconomic status were generally not associated with primary or secondary infertility. CONCLUSIONS: Infertility is still prevalent in Central Africa.