Infertility is turning into a disturbing phenomenon in Albania. Obstetricians and gynecologists report that 1 in 10 couples cannot have a child as a result of infertility.
In the sectoral health strategies, infertility is addressed alongside other priority areas such as newborn health, adolescent health, HIV AIDS or gender-based violence.
For Dr. Dorina Toçaj, who is UNFA’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Program Analyst for Albania, all these areas directly or indirectly affect the causes of infertility.
“Factors that cause infertility are related to both male and female and I would like to emphasize the presence of untreated STDs are one of the main causes that lead to infertility, stress, in couples affects infertility, improper communication, depression, anxiety, quarrels, factors related to lifestyle, tobacco consumption, alcoholic beverages, smoking, obesity influence the increase in the prevalence of infertility”, – emphasized Dr. Dorina Toçaj Program Analyst for Sexual and Reproductive Health.
In order to reduce this very disturbing phenomenon, the national action plan for reproductive sexual health has defined concrete actions for each field, but experts believe that it should first be started by increasing the level of knowledge of health personnel in the primary service.
“It is very important that the primary health personnel provide complete information both for young people and for STDs and for the use of modern contraceptive methods, which will avoid unplanned pregnancies at a young age, the use of condoms will prevent us from STDs and will prevent us from infertility in the future” – emphasized Dr. Dorina Toçaj Program Analyst for Sexual and Reproductive Health.
Acknowledging the idea that lifestyle is one of the main factors not only in infertility but in some health problems, health professionals ask for caution. They are of the opinion that more work should be done in the field of education and information on obesity, the use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs and the negative effects they bring to the people.
