TY - JOUR
T1 - Results of infertility investigations and follow-up among 312 infertile women and their partners in Kigali, Rwanda
AU - Dhont, Nathalie
AU - Van de Wijgert, Janneke
AU - Vyankandondera, Joseph
AU - Busasa, Rosette
AU - Gasarabwe, Ammiel
AU - Temmerman, Marleen
N1 - Funding Information:
This study was funded by a PhD grant from the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR-UOS) and by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) through a project entitled: ‘Preparing for Phase III vaginal microbicide trials in Rwanda and Kenya: preparedness studies, capacity building, and strengthening of medical referral systems’. EDCTP cannot accept any responsibility for the information or views expressed in this report. The project also received funding from the ‘Walking Egg NPO’, Genk 2000.
PY - 2011/4
Y1 - 2011/4
N2 - The objectives of this study were to assess the outcome of infertility investigations and an 18-month follow-up of 312 infertile women and their partners in Rwanda. Between November 2007 and May 2009, an infertility research clinic was opened. Infertile couples received basic infertility investigations, the available treatment was provided and couples were followed up over an 18-month period. The infertility remained unexplained in 3%, was due to a female factor in 31%, due to a male factor in 16% or due to a combination of male and female causes in 50% of fully investigated couples (n = 224). A tubal factor was found in 69% of women, a male factor in 64% of men. Predictors for tubal infertility in women included a history of high-risk sexual behaviour, HIV infection and a history of sexually transmitted infection (STI) symptoms in the male partner. After 12–18 months of follow-up, 40 pregnancies (16%) had occurred in 244 women. Our study shows high rates of tubal and male factor infertility in Rwanda. Pregnancy rates were low after conventional therapy. In order to provide effective and affordable treatment for infertility in resource-poor countries the development of low-cost assisted reproductive technologies are needed.
AB - The objectives of this study were to assess the outcome of infertility investigations and an 18-month follow-up of 312 infertile women and their partners in Rwanda. Between November 2007 and May 2009, an infertility research clinic was opened. Infertile couples received basic infertility investigations, the available treatment was provided and couples were followed up over an 18-month period. The infertility remained unexplained in 3%, was due to a female factor in 31%, due to a male factor in 16% or due to a combination of male and female causes in 50% of fully investigated couples (n = 224). A tubal factor was found in 69% of women, a male factor in 64% of men. Predictors for tubal infertility in women included a history of high-risk sexual behaviour, HIV infection and a history of sexually transmitted infection (STI) symptoms in the male partner. After 12–18 months of follow-up, 40 pregnancies (16%) had occurred in 244 women. Our study shows high rates of tubal and male factor infertility in Rwanda. Pregnancy rates were low after conventional therapy. In order to provide effective and affordable treatment for infertility in resource-poor countries the development of low-cost assisted reproductive technologies are needed.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79953176640&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1258/td.2011.100410
DO - 10.1258/td.2011.100410
M3 - Article
C2 - 21421887
AN - SCOPUS:79953176640
SN - 0049-4755
VL - 41
SP - 96
EP - 101
JO - Tropical Doctor
JF - Tropical Doctor
IS - 2
ER -