Ulla Larsen1. 1. Department of Population and International Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. ularsen@hsph.harvard.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Different definitions of infertility are used in clinical practice as well as in epidemiological and demographic research. This study assessed whether the definition makes a difference for estimates of the prevalence and sociodemographic differentials of infertility and whether one definition would be applicable in both research and clinical practice. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Moshi town in northern Tanzania. PATIENT(S): Community-based sample of 1,125 women, ages 20 to 44 years, in first union. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Six definitions of infertility. RESULT(S): Similar levels and sociodemographic characteristics of infertile women were obtained from asking the question "How long have you tried to get pregnant?" and from secondary data collected in a birth history that included date of marriage, date of last birth, current contraceptive use, and whether the woman wants another child. CONCLUSION(S): The infertility definition made a difference. The World Health Organization definition based on 24 months of trying to get pregnant is recommended as the definition that is useful in clinical practice and research among different disciplines.
OBJECTIVE: Different definitions of infertility are used in clinical practice as well as in epidemiological and demographic research. This study assessed whether the definition makes a difference for estimates of the prevalence and sociodemographic differentials of infertility and whether one definition would be applicable in both research and clinical practice. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Moshi town in northern Tanzania. PATIENT(S): Community-based sample of 1,125 women, ages 20 to 44 years, in first union. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Six definitions of infertility. RESULT(S): Similar levels and sociodemographic characteristics of infertile women were obtained from asking the question "How long have you tried to get pregnant?" and from secondary data collected in a birth history that included date of marriage, date of last birth, current contraceptive use, and whether the woman wants another child. CONCLUSION(S): The infertility definition made a difference. The World Health Organization definition based on 24 months of trying to get pregnant is recommended as the definition that is useful in clinical practice and research among different disciplines.
Authors: Melanie H Jacobson; Helen B Chin; Ann C Mertens; Jessica B Spencer; Amy Fothergill; Penelope P Howards Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 2018-02-01 Impact factor: 4.897
Authors: Michele L Susko; Michael S Bloom; Iulia A Neamtiu; Allison A Appleton; Simona Surdu; Cristian Pop; Edward F Fitzgerald; Doru Anastasiu; Eugen S Gurzau Journal: Environ Res Date: 2017-01-03 Impact factor: 6.498
Authors: Chinenye J Ugwah-Oguejiofor; Shaibu O Bello; Raymond U Okolo; Emmanuel U Etuk; Michael O Ugwah; Vincent U Igbokwe Journal: Reprod Biol Endocrinol Date: 2011-11-02 Impact factor: 5.211
Authors: Arthur L Greil; Kathleen S Slauson-Blevins; Stacy Tiemeyer; Julia McQuillan; Karina M Shreffler Journal: J Womens Health (Larchmt) Date: 2015-11-10 Impact factor: 2.681
Authors: Mm Akhondi; K Kamali; F Ranjbar; S Shafeghati; Z Behjati Ardakani; M Shirzad; M Eslamifar; K Mohammad; M Parsaeian Journal: Iran J Public Health Date: 2012-12-01 Impact factor: 1.429