Prevalence of infertility and its association with intimate partner violence in Tanzania: Findings from the 2022 Demographic and Health Survey
by Belinda Balandya, Lenka Beňová, Amani Kikula, Andrea B Pembe, Sara Riese, Anteneh Asefa
First published: 16 November 2024 https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.16014
Abstract
Objective: We first estimated the prevalence of primary and secondary infertility in Tanzania and then examined its association with recent experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV).
Methods: We used cross-sectional data from the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey 2022 and included 6,894 women aged 20–49 years to estimate the prevalence of primary and secondary infertility. In a subset of 2,802 partnered women who were surveyed about physical, emotional, and sexual IPV, we also examined the association of any form of IPV in the 12 months prior to the survey with both primary and secondary infertility using multivariable logistic regression.
Results: The prevalence of primary infertility was 1.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0, 3.1) and secondary infertility was 15.4% (95% CI: 2.1, 61.0). Primary infertility was higher in urban areas (1.9%) compared to rural areas (1.7%) (P < 0.001). Over one-third (37.9%) of the women who were surveyed concerning IPV reported experiencing at least one form of IPV in the 12 months prior to the survey. Almost one-fifth (18.3%) of women with secondary infertility had experienced at least one form of violence in the past 12 months prior to the survey, compared to 1.5% with primary infertility (P = 0.656). Women with secondary infertility were 1.58 times more likely to have experienced any form of IPV (aOR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.33).
Conclusions: In Tanzania, the high prevalences of both infertility and IPV and the link between the two warrants the need for strengthening infertility care and treatment and support for women experiencing IPV.
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A systematic review and narrative report of the relationship between infertility, subfertility, and intimate partner violence
by Carmen Stellar, Claudia Garcia-Moreno, Marleen Temmerman, Sheryl van der Poel
First published: 15 December 2015 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.08.012
Abstract
Background
Infertility/subfertility could be a formerly unrecognized risk factor for intimate partner violence (IPV).
Objectives
To review the evidence on the association between infertility/subfertility in women and the risk of IPV.
Search strategy
Seven databases were searched for articles published in English or Spanish between January 2000 and July 2015.
Selection criteria
Studies were included if they analyzed the relationship between infertility/subfertility and IPV in a quantitative manner.
Data collection and analysis
A systematic search was completed by one author, and articles meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria were chosen by two authors. It was not possible to pool the data because of heterogeneity in the study design, the methods, and the definitions of IPV and infertility/subfertility found across the studies. Instead, a narrative report was completed.
Main results
Twenty-one papers met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The available evidence indicated that infertility/subfertility is associated with IPV in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Conclusions
Infertility/subfertility is associated with an increased risk of experiencing IPV in LMICs. Future research should focus on studies with a homogenous design, rigorous methodology, and appropriately selected study and control groups. Qualitative research would also be invaluable to assess the impact of relevant social variables on outcomes.
Editor’s Note: The assumption here is that the infertility led to the violence. But is it possible that the violence was a possible cause of the infertility? Without seeing the full texts of the articles, it is not possible to say. If anyone can shed some light on this question, it would be welcome.