Knowledge of Infertility: Its Causes, Risk Factors, and Treatments among Infertile Rural Indian Women Who are Seeking Treatment for their Childlessness

Abstract

Aims: To assess the knowledge regarding infertility its causes, risk factors, diagnosis and treatments of infertile women who are receiving treatment or have taken treatments for infertility. Study Design: Descriptive research study. Place and Duration of Study: Two districts of Haryana state i.e. Rewari and Hisar were randomly selected, and the data were collected between November 2022 and June 2023. Methodology: The study respondents were 200 infertile women seeking treatment or have taken treatment for their childlessness; the age range 22-42 years were interviewed using pretested self-structured interview schedules.  Results: The mean age of the respondents was 29.86 years. Less than half (48.7%) understood the correct meaning of infertility, 170(44%) agreed that witchcraft could cause infertility while 230(59%) disagreed that infertility could be prevented. Two hundred and sixty (67%) and 283 (73%) of the respondents had good knowledge and perception towards infertility respectively. Conclusion: Respondents’ knowledge regarding infertility its causes, risk factors, diagnosis and treatments were suboptimal in this study. By focusing on specific fertility education and raising public awareness of the condition's causes and risk factors, we can potentially reduce the prevalence of this condition.