Impact of Lifestyle, Nutrition and Occupational Stress on Female Infertility in Bangladesh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ijphn.v1i2.6138Keywords:
Female Infertility, Lifestyle Factors, Nutrition, Occupational Stress, Urban WomenAbstract
Infertility is now considered to be an emerging public health issue worldwide, Bangladesh being no exemption has seen a surge in its prevalence for some time now, mainly repression of urbanization, alteration in dietary habits and escalated occupational stress. This research explores determinants such as lifestyle, food habit and occupational stress in female infertility in Dhaka and Chittagong the two major metropolitan cities of Bangladesh. A sample of 400 women was selected regardless of variability in their characteristics including socio-economic status, occupation, sand education. The research also seeks to quantitatively evaluate the association between these factors and infertility. The descriptive statistics showed that a high number of women had poor exercise habits, insufficient sleep, irregular dietary patterns and were exposed to high levels of occupational stress factors associated with infertility. Descriptive analysis showed that no exercise, poor sleep, unhealthy eating, and high work stress were associated with infertility significantly (p <0.05). Infertility was negatively correlated with exercise, sleep, and balanced diet, but positively associated with fast food intake and occupational stress as demonstrated by correlation. Based on the results of regression analysis, occupational stress and fast-food consumption could predict infertility by 42%. These findings indicate that lack of exercise, insomnia, improper dieting, excessive consumption of fast foods, and high levels of work stress are the main factors that predispose women in Dhaka and Chittagong to infertility. They were the largest predictors of occupational stress and unhealthy nutrition, and the local differences, in contrast to the city, suggest that activities responsive to the city should be localized. Overall, the study presents empirical evidence to support the results of specific reproductive health interventions aimed at enhancing the reproductive health of urban women in Bangladesh.
References
Akter, S. (2025). Examining access to health services for women of reproductive age from ethnic communities in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh.
Al-Mamun, F., Sultana, M. S., Momo, M. A., Malakar, J., Bahar, S. B., Uddin, I., Murshida, M., Akter, Mst. M., Begum, Mst. M., Nodi, T. S., Al Habib, A., Kaggwa, M. M., Roy, N., & Mamun, M. A. (2024). Exploring the burden of postpartum depression in urban Bangladesh: Prevalence and its associations with pregnancy-related factors from a cross-sectional study. Health Science Reports, 7(4), e2035. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.2035
Anwary, S. A., Mondal, Md. N. I., Karim, Md. R., Rahman, Md. M., Md. Alfazzaman, Md. A., Mahzabin, Z., Rahman, M. M., & Nahar, A. (2023). Determinants of Infertility among Married Couples in a Tertiary Hospital in Bangladesh. Scholars International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 6(1), 47–53. https://doi.org/10.36348/sijog.2023.v06i01.008
Arif, M., Salman-Al-Mamun K.M, Chandra, R., Zafar, S. M., & Halimuzzaman Md. (2025). Assessing the Adoption of IFRS and Its Effects on Financial Reporting Quality in Developing Countries. Business and Social Sciences, 3(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.25163/business.3110312
Basak, S., Gazi, Md. D. H., & Mazharul Hoque Chowdhury, S. M. (2020). A Review Paper on Comparison of Different Algorithm Used in Text Summarization. In D. J. Hemanth, S. Shakya, & Z. Baig (Eds.), Intelligent Data Communication Technologies and Internet of Things (Vol. 38, pp. 114–119). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34080-3_13
Bhuiyan, Md. M. H., Dey, K. N., Saha, P., Sarker, P. K., Md. Halimuzzaman, & Biswas, Md. T. (2025). Exploring The Role Of Artificial Intelligence In Transforming Hr Practices. International Journal of Business Management and Economic Review, 08(01), 98–110. https://doi.org/10.35409/IJBMER.2025.3646
Butola, L. K., Ambad, R., & Vagga, A. (2021). Recent Updates in Female Infertility: A Short Review of Literature. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 15(2), 302–311. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i2.14326
Dehkordi, S. M., Khoshakhlagh, A. H., Yazdanirad, S., Hafshejani, A. M., & Rajabi-vardanjani, H. (2025). The effect of job stress on fertility, its intention, and infertility treatment among the workers: A systematic review | BMC Public Health. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-025-21790-9
Farid, M. S. (2024). An Ethical Analysis of the Online Content of Assisted Reproductive Technology Centers in Bangladesh. Asian Bioethics Review, 16(4), 739–756. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41649-024-00316-2
Halimuzzaman, M., Sharma, J., Hossain, M. I., Akand, F., Islam, M. N., Ikram, M. M., & Khan, N. N. (2024). Healthcare Service Quality Digitization with Enterprise Resource Planning. Journal of Angiotherapy, 8(5), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.25163/angiotherapy.859716
Halimuzzaman, M., Sharma, J., & Khang, A. (2024). Enterprise Resource Planning and Accounting Information Systems: Modeling the Relationship in Manufacturing. In Machine Vision and Industrial Robotics in Manufacturing. CRC Press.
Hasan, A. B. M. N., Sharif, A. B., Jahan, I., & Begum, M. R. (2023). Mental health status and the quality of life of infertile women receiving fertility treatment in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study. PLOS Global Public Health, 3(12), e0002680. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002680
Hasan, Md. M., Alam, L. C. F., Shahid, A. R., Khandaker, Md. A., Akter, M., & Shaikat, Md. A. (2025). Factors associated with infertility among married women and men in Dhaka, Bangladesh. International Journal of Applied Research, 11(4), 271–278. https://doi.org/10.22271/allresearch.2025.v11.i4d.12487
Health, N. A. S. N. R. I. of P., I. A. Tliashinova, & Mingazov, R. N. (2022). Global social challenges in infertility problems. Manager Zdravoochranenia, 3, 49–59. https://doi.org/10.21045/1811-0185-2022-3-49-59
Imran, S. M. A., Islam, S., Kabir, N., Uddin, I., Ali, K., & Halimuzzaman, Md. (2024). Consumer Behavior and Sustainable Marketing Practices in the Ready-Made Garments Industry. International Journal of Management Studies and Social Science Research, 06(06), 152–161. https://doi.org/10.56293/IJMSSSR.2024.5322
Ishrat, S., Hossain, M., Yasmin, M., Akhter, D., Akter, T., Haque, F., & Shukla, J. (2022). Quality of life of infertile women as measured by WHOQOL-BREF in Bangladesh. International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 12(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20223292
Islam, M. S. H., Rubel, M. R. B., Hossain, M. I., Kamruzzaman, Md., Akter, S., Halimuzzaman, Md., & Karim, M. R. (2024). Impact of financial and internet support on SME performance: Moderating effect of technology adoption during COVID-19 pandemic. World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences, 13(2), 105–118. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjaets.2024.13.2.0533
Islam, Md. A., Goldar, S. C., Imran, S. A., Halimuzzaman, Md., & Hasan, S. (2025). AI-Driven green marketing strategies for eco-friendly tourism businesses. International Journal of Tourism and Hotel Management, 7(1), 56–60. https://doi.org/10.22271/27069583.2025.v7.i1a.125
Khatun, N., Mondal, M. N. I., Islam, M. R., Hossain, M. K., Parvin, M. N., Hossen, M. S., Haque, N., Karim, M. R., & Islam, M. S. (2022). Factors associated with infertility among married women in Rajshahi City, Bangladesh. Journal of Public Health and Development, 20(3), 134–162. https://doi.org/10.55131/jphd/2022/200311
Liang, Y., Huang, J., Zhao, Q., Mo, H., Su, Z., Feng, S., Li, S., & Ruan, X. (2025). Global, regional, and national prevalence and trends of infertility among individuals of reproductive age (15–49 years) from 1990 to 2021, with projections to 2040. Human Reproduction, 40(3), 529–544. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deae292
Magdum, M., Chowdhury, Md. A. T., Begum, N., & Riya, S. (2022). Types of Infertility and Its Risk Factors among Infertile Women: A Prospective Study in Dhaka City. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 10(04), 158–168. https://doi.org/10.4236/jbm.2022.104014
Nahar, S., & Pillai, V. K. (2025). Women’s reproductive health in the aftermath of natural disasters in Bangladesh: Prospects for empowerment. Health Care for Women International, 46(2), 198–213. https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2024.2341316
Nasreen, K., Ansary, S. A., Shume, M. M., Hawlader, M. D. H., Aoishee, Z. A., Kumkum, I. J., & Islam, M. (2025). Changing Trends in Infertility Among Couples Seeking Treatment in Bangladesh: A Comparative Study (2007–2024). Scholars International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 8(03), 102–114. https://doi.org/10.36348/sijog.2025.v08i03.006
Paul, A., Yeasmin, F., Shahriar, M. A., Hossain, M. R., Jamal, S., Talukder, E., & Nath, T. K. (2025). Environmental and Health Risks of Open Landfill in Chittagong City, Bangladesh. The Dhaka University Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 14(1), 33–48. https://doi.org/10.3329/dujees.v14i1.83022
Roy, T., Khatun, Mst. T., Hossain, Md. T., & Rana, S. (2022). Reproductive Health Care Seeking Behavior of Female Street Dwellers of Dhaka Metropolitan, Bangladesh. Khulna University Studies, 213–223. https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.2013.11and12.1210-S
Saadedine, M., Berga, S. L., Faubion, S. S., & Shufelt, C. L. (2025). The silent pandemic of stress: Impact on menstrual cycle and ovulation. Stress, 28(1), 2457767. https://doi.org/10.1080/10253890.2025.2457767
Sarker, M. R., Taj, T. A., Sarkar, M. A. R., Hassan, M. F., McKenzie, A. M., Al Mamun, M. A., Sarker, D., & Bhandari, H. (2024). Gender differences in job satisfaction among gig workers in Bangladesh. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 17128. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-68327-5
Shaik, D. S., Chandra, S. J., Leelavathi, M., Rajesh, G., Rani, D. N. M., & Nivedhitha, D. S. (2024). A review on triggering factors and causes of infertility. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Medical Sciences, 4(4), 25–32. https://doi.org/10.26452/ijcpms.v4i4.671
Sharfuddin, M., Halimuzzaman, Md., Akter, F., Dey, K. N., & Saha, P. (2025). Employee Motivation and Behavior in Construction Engineering Projects. International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i01.019
Shiju, D. J. (2024). Infertility Care: Bridging the Emotional and Physical Gaps in Gynecological Nursing. International Journal of Nursing Research, 10(03), 32–34. https://doi.org/10.31690/ijnr.2024.v010i03.008
Shukla, S., & Shrivastava, D. (2024). Nutritional Deficiencies and Subfertility: A Comprehensive Review of Current Evidence. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.66477
Spichela, G. O., Reginato, L. D. P., Silva, R. W., Bello, S. R. D. B., Pazello, C. T., Zarpellon, R. S. M., & Venturelli, A. C. (2024). Nutrição e saúde reprodutiva da mulher: Uma revisão integrativa. Research, Society and Development, 13(12), e203131247864. https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v13i12.47864
Urteaga, R., & Díaz, A. (2024). Burnout in Assisted Reproduction Professionals: The Influence of Stressors in the Workplace. Healthcare, 12(21), 2136. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12212136
Zaman, A., Rahim, R., Nessa, K., Rouf, M., & Rahman, F. (2022). Social Struggles and Treatment Seeking Behaviors of Infertile Women among Different Classes in the Urban Areas of Bangladesh. Journal of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, 12(2), 82–86. https://doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v12i2.56887
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Farida Khanom, Mohammad Riyad Hossain, Mostafa Kabir Siddiqui, Kamarun Munira Anha, Simonto Mirza
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
