Women and Infertility in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Multi-disciplinary Perspective
- ISBN-10
- 9068321161
- ISBN-13
- 9789068321166
- Pages
- 285
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2001
- Publisher
- Royal Tropical Institute
- Authors
- J. T. Boerma, Zaida Mgalla
Description
In sub-Saharan Africa female infertility is a major public health problem as well as a human rights issue, with far-reaching consequences for the individual, the couple and, to a lesser extent, the health system. Although infertility is a traumatic experience in the lives of nearly all women who are confronted with it, this health problem is often neglected in reproductive health programs. This neglect is due partly to the lack of adequate treatment interventions and partly to the orientation of many programs towards population growth. This study of the levels, trends, causes and consequences of female infertility cuts through a range of disciplines. Infertility is discussed from the standpoint of demography, clinical medicine, epidemiology, anthropology and public health. The linkages of infertility to sexual and marital behaviour, to sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS, to maternal health and family planning are discussed.
