Characterization and risk factors for unexplained female infertility in Sudan: A case-control study
Abdullah Abdulslam Abdullah, Musa Ahmed, Adesina Oladokun
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Female infertility with unknown causes (unexplained) remains one of the mysteries in the reproductive health field, where the diagnostic evidence is still weak and the proposed treatments still work with unknown methods. However, several studies have proposed some possible causes and risk factors for unexplained female infertility. AIM: To characterize and identify factors associated with unexplained infertility in Sudanese women. METHODS: A matched (age and body mass index) case-control study was conducted from March 2021 to February 2022. The study samples were 210 women with unexplained infertility (UI) and 190 fertile women of reproductive age who were attending the maternity hospitals and fertility clinics in Khartoum, Sudan. The risk factors of unexplained infertility were identified using a structured, pre-tested questionnaire containing information on socio-demographic variables, anthropometrics, clinical diagnosis of infertility, behavioral factors, physical activity assessment, diversity, and consumption of different food groups by the study participants. RESULTS: < 0.05) factors associated with unexplained infertility among Sudanese women. CONCLUSION: Married women with a family history of infertility who smoke and consume a high amount of caffeine, who live a sedentary lifestyle, and who consume more than two meals free of vitamin-A-rich fruits and/or vegetables and/or other vegetables per day are at the highest risk of developing unexplained infertility.