Childlessness in Andhra Pradesh, India: Treatment-seeking and consequences

Abstract

Andhra Pradesh has a high incidence of childlessness, compared to the rest of India. This paper is based on a study that explored the psychosocial consequences of childlessness in Ranga Reddy district, Andhra Pradesh, India in 1998, and describes the extent and kinds of infertility treatment sought. Currently married women aged 20 years or more who had been married for at least three years with no live birth were included; the rate ofchildlessness was five per cent On average, they started allopathic treatment and visits to holy places after three years of not having a baby. A large majority sought allopathic treatment first, and only tried other sorts of treatment prayer, rituals and traditional treatments when this did not work or cost too much. About ten per cent had adopted children and others would consider it in future. For a minority of women, there was a risk of divorce and husbands marrying a second wife to have children. Two-thirds of the women experienced violence from their husbands; 13 per cent thought this was partly due to their childlessness. There is a clear need for infertility investigation and treatment to be included in the reproductive health programme in India, and for health workers to be trained to provide information, care and referrals.