Factors associated with infertility among the Lebanese population: a cross-sectional study

Dia, Nada; Mansour, Sara; Kharaba, Zelal; Malaeb, Bassem; Sarray El Dine, Abir; Kokash, Sally; Nasser, Suzanne; Hallit, Souheil; Malaeb, Diana

Abstract

The incidence of female infertility is growing worldwide and its rate varies across countries. . The goal of this study is to assess the rate of female infertility and identify its associated factors among Lebanese women. This cross-sectional study was conducted between January to May 2019, enrolling a total of 952 females. The mean age was 34.8 ± 8 years and the rate of infertility was 34.3%. The multivariable analysis taking presence vs absence of infertility as the dependent variable, showed that patients with advanced age (aOR = 1.04), endometriosis (aOR = 2.175) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (aOR = 1.41) were significantly associated with higher rate of infertility. On the other hand, having a college level of education compared to a school level was significantly associated with lower odds of infertility (aOR = 0.511). The study highlights that the rate of infertility is high in Lebanon and is mainly associated with various sociodemographic factors and disease states. The findings raise the need to establish awareness campaigns that focus on early diagnosis of infertility, control the associated factors, and treat underlying comorbid conditions.

Citation

Dia, N., Mansour, S., Kharaba, Z., Malaeb, B., Sarray El Dine, A., Kokash, S., …Malaeb, D. (2023). Factors associated with infertility among the Lebanese population: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 34(2), 934-942. https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2023.2190084

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 7, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Mar 14, 2023
• Publication Date: Mar 14, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jun 1, 2023
• Journal: International Journal of Environmental Health Research
• Print ISSN: 0960-3123
• Electronic ISSN: 1369-1619
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 934-942
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2023.2190084
• Keywords: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Pollution, General Medicine
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=cije20; Received: 2023-01-15; Accepted: 2023-03-07; Published: 2023-03-14