Identification of infertile couples in a rural area of northern India

An attempt was made to identify infertile couples in a rural area of India, utilizing the existing information structure. A three stage screening of the cases was done. Initial record based listing was done with the help of the health workers' records. Cases on initial list were screened on the basis of information obtained from key informants in villages. Verified cases were then individually contracted. Total catchment population (28839) in 40 villages of a Primary Health Centre (PHC) of north India was surveyed by a lady social worker. Of the total 4453 eligible couples in the PHC, 129 (2.9%) were infertile (46.5% primary and 53.5% secondary infertility). From the initial list of 298 cases, 161 (54%) were excluded during the survey. The yield from the health workers' record was 33 per cent whereas from key informants it was 93 per cent. The study revealed that the key informants and existing information structure can be utilized to identify conditions like infertility in rural areas, after proper verification of initial reports.