Perception prevalence of the relationship between PID and infertility amongst women of reproductive age: A Nigerian study Original paper

What was studied?

This cross-sectional study investigated the perception prevalence of the relationship between pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility among women of reproductive age in Rivers State, Nigeria. The primary aim was to assess awareness and understanding of the established link between PID, an ascending genital tract infection often caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like Chlamydia trachomatis, and infertility, which is recognized globally as a major public health concern. The study evaluated awareness levels regarding PID, infertility, and their interrelationship, with particular interest in how education and age might influence these perceptions. Data were collected from women attending an enlightenment campaign hosted by the Mother and Baby Care Global Foundation and analyzed using SPSS.

Who was studied?

The study population comprised 250 women of reproductive age (20–49 years) who participated in a local health campaign in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The mean age was 24 ± 4 years, with 46% aged 20–29, 34% aged 30–39, and 20% aged 40–49. Educational attainment was high in this cohort, with 80% holding tertiary qualifications and the remaining 20% having secondary education. All participants provided informed consent, and those under 15 or over 49 years were excluded from the study.

Most important findings

Despite high educational status among participants, only 30% were aware of PID and 45% were aware of infertility. Notably, only 10% recognized the relationship between PID and infertility, a figure that is low given the well-documented association between these conditions. The highest perception prevalence of the PID-infertility link was observed in women aged 30–39 years (6%). Microbiologically, the study reinforces that Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are the primary pathogens implicated in PID, with Chlamydia infection alone accounting for up to 45% of tubal infertility in referenced literature. Approximately 85% of PID cases globally are attributable to STIs. The low perception prevalence found here suggests a significant gap in patient awareness, which is critical given the preventable nature of many PID-related infertility cases.

Key implications

The findings highlight an urgent need for targeted public health education and community-based interventions to raise awareness about PID and its reproductive consequences. Despite high levels of formal education, knowledge gaps persist, underlining that educational campaigns must be tailored and recurrent. From a microbiome perspective, recognizing the microbial etiology of PID, especially the role of Chlamydia trachomatis, should inform both clinical practice and public health messaging to improve screening, early diagnosis, and treatment. Enhanced awareness could contribute to reducing infertility rates attributable to PID, particularly in similar populations and settings.