Sub-fertility and life style factors which affecting sub-fertility among women in Regional Director of Health Service area, Colombo
Abstract
Background: Sub-fertility is one of the leading health issues with its economic and social implications in Sri Lanka and changes in lifestyles of the people have a great impact on it.
Objective: To determine the association between selected lifestyle factors and sub-fertility among women in the Regional Director of Health Service area, Colombo.
Methods: A case control study was conducted among sub-fertile (n=170) and fertile (n=340) women as case and control respectively. A pre-tested, structured interviewer administered questionnaire, which underwent face, content validity and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha= 0.8) was used. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, two-way ANOVA, independent sample t- test and odds ratio (OR) were performed.
Results: The mean age at marriage was 25.1±3.1 years and 26.5±3 years for fertile and sub-fertile women, respectively. Level of education of both groups was not significantly different (p= 0.120, 95% CI). Islamic women have high fertility than others. Vigorous physical activities were significantly high among sub-fertile women (p=0.000; 95%CI 1.08-1.59). OR for passive smoking for fertile women was 1.3, (95%CI). Sub-fertile women experienced a lack of full restful sleep than fertile women (p=0.001, 95%CI) and majority of sub-fertile women (63.8%) recorded high levels of stress.
Conclusion: Vigorous physical activities, exposure to passive smoking, lack of full restful sleep, and having high levels of stress have the negative effects on fertility. Therefore, counselling sessions for the sub-fertile couples and a sensitization programme for newly married couples on lifestyle factors by the primary health care staff are recommended.
Objective: To determine the association between selected lifestyle factors and sub-fertility among women in the Regional Director of Health Service area, Colombo.
Methods: A case control study was conducted among sub-fertile (n=170) and fertile (n=340) women as case and control respectively. A pre-tested, structured interviewer administered questionnaire, which underwent face, content validity and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha= 0.8) was used. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, two-way ANOVA, independent sample t- test and odds ratio (OR) were performed.
Results: The mean age at marriage was 25.1±3.1 years and 26.5±3 years for fertile and sub-fertile women, respectively. Level of education of both groups was not significantly different (p= 0.120, 95% CI). Islamic women have high fertility than others. Vigorous physical activities were significantly high among sub-fertile women (p=0.000; 95%CI 1.08-1.59). OR for passive smoking for fertile women was 1.3, (95%CI). Sub-fertile women experienced a lack of full restful sleep than fertile women (p=0.001, 95%CI) and majority of sub-fertile women (63.8%) recorded high levels of stress.
Conclusion: Vigorous physical activities, exposure to passive smoking, lack of full restful sleep, and having high levels of stress have the negative effects on fertility. Therefore, counselling sessions for the sub-fertile couples and a sensitization programme for newly married couples on lifestyle factors by the primary health care staff are recommended.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4038/sljma.v24i2.5431 | Journal eISSN: 1391-2909
Language: English
Page range: 91 - 98
Published on: May 6, 2024
Published by: College of Medical Administrators of Sri Lanka
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
© 2024 C. Gajanayake, P. M. Munasinghe, K. C. Kalubowila, J. Gunathilake, C. Denawaka, D. Kahangamage, published by College of Medical Administrators of Sri Lanka
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.