Research Note
Prevalence of female infertility and its socio-economic factors in Tribal communities of Central India
Citation: Kumar D. Prevalence of female infertility and its socio-economic factors in Tribal communities of Central India. Rural and Remote Health 7 (online), 2007: 456. Available from: http://www.rrh.org.au
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The Khairwar tribe of India is dwindling due to infertility and migration. The study investigates an extensive infertility problem among Khairwar and non-Khairwar tribes in the same geographical area. The objective of the study was to determine for the first time the prevalence of infertility in these two tribal groups.
Method: The study was carried out in the Kusmi block of the Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. The data were collected by trained investigators through a structured interview scheduled in April 2002. A total of 1305 people were studied from 284 households. Of a population of 778 people, 133 eligible couples belonged to the Khairwar tribe; out of a population of 527 people, 99 eligible couples belonged to non-Khairwar tribes.
Results: The prevalence of infertility of the study population was 33 (14.2%) out of 232 women. In the Khairwars, infertility was found in 23 (17.2%) significantly higher than in non-Khairwars - 10 (10%). The mean age of infertile women among the Khairwars was 31.3 ± 8.9 years and 27.5 ± 9.2 years among non-Khairwars. The average duration of marriage of infertile women in the Khairwars and non-Khairwars was estimated as 14.9 ± 7.7 years and 11.1 ± 7.9 years respectively.
Conclusion: The prevalence of infertility is higher in the Khairwars compared with non-Khairwars. It is suggested that further study needs to determine the causes and necessary interventions.
Key words: India, infertility, socio-economic factors, tribal communities.
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