Journal of Reproduction & Infertility

Journal of Reproduction & Infertility

Infertility Burden Across Indian States: Insights from a Nationally Representative Survey Conducted During 2019-21

Authors
Varun Agiwal 1
R. Sai Madhuri 2
Sirshendu Chaudhuri 3
1 Lecturer, Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabad, India
2 Research Assistant, Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabad, India
3 Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabad, India
10.18502/jri.v24i4.14156
Abstract
Background: Infertility is an escalating global concern, impacting approximately one-sixth of the reproductive age population worldwide. Employing data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5, 2019-21), this study assessed the prevalence of primary infertility at both national and state levels in India. Methods: The data of the study was extracted from the National Family Health Survey and Individual file (women file) of the fifth round of NFHS encompassing a sample of 491,484 currently married women in the age group of 15–49 years. Results: The findings showed that the prevalence of infertility is 18.7 per 1,000 women among those married for at least five years and currently in union. This prevalence increases as the duration of marriage decreases. On a state-level analysis, regions such as Goa, Lakshadweep, and Chhattisgarh exhibit the highest burdens. Conclusion: These findings underscore the growing challenge posed by primary infertility in India, calling for targeted interventions and policy measures. The establishment of a national infertility surveillance system is of pivotal importance in addressing this pressing public health issue.
Keywords
Female infertility
India
Infertility
NFHS
Reproductive Health
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Journal of Reproduction & Infertility
Volume 24, Issue 4
Autumn 2023
Pages 287-293