Inter-provincial difference in infertility among women of child-bearing age at first marriage and its relation to economic development in China

ObjectiveTo explore the inter-provincial difference in infertility among women of child-bearing age at the first marriage in China and its relationship to economic development.MethodsUsing data from the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Survey in 2001 and from China Statistical Yearbook,we obtained the information of 3 414 child-bearing women from 30 provinces.Two-level logistic regression model was employed in data analyses.ResultsThe national infertility was 18.0% (95% confidence intervalCI:16.7%-19.3%).The results of regression model showed significant inter-provincial differences.Gross domestic product(GDP)per capita at province level was significantly and inversely associated with individual infertility risk(odds ratioOR=0.64,P<0.05)and the GDP proportion of tertiary sector of industry was positively associated with individual infertility risk(OR=1.04,P<0.05).ConclusionObvious inter-provincial difference exists and economic development is an important influence factor.However,the pathways need further exploration.