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Primary and Secondary infertility in India: Trends, Socio-Demographic and Behavioural Determinants

Sampurna Kundu, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Balhasan Ali, Institute of Economic Growth, New Delhi
Preeti Dhillon, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

The aim of this study to estimate the levels of primary and secondary infertility in India over time and find out its determinants including socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health status of women. National Family Health Survey (1992-93, 1998-99, 2005-06, 2015-16) data, which is a cross-sectional national representative survey. Primary infertility showed a consistent declining trend between 1992-2015, while, secondary infertility increased from 19.5% in 1992-93 to 28.6% in 2015-16, which might have contributed to lower fertility rates particularly in southern states of India. Age at marriage, biological and lifestyle factors are strongly associated with infertility. Persons with higher education and increasing age at first marriage have a higher probability to experience primary infertility, and those who marry at aged 30-45 years are most vulnerable. Furthermore, findings show that if the couple is the same age or the husband is older, the probability of secondary infertility is very less (about half). The study shows that lifestyle and biological factors largely affect secondary infertility. This study provides evidence that changing lifestyles and increasing health problems became the main cause of secondary infertility. This study strongly recommends strengthening the available reproductive and health programs, making people aware to improve their lifestyle and reproductive behaviors.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Fertility and childbirth

See extended abstract.

  Presented in Session 44. Health and Reproductive Health