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This paper examines Cameroon as a critical case study for the rising infertility crisis in developing nations, highlighting its multifactorial drivers including infectious diseases, health system weaknesses, environmental toxins, and socioeconomic stressors. The analysis synthesizes epidemiological evidence to demonstrate how untreated infections like STIs and post-abortion sepsis lead to tubal factor infertility, while poor healthcare access delays diagnosis. Additionally, rapid urbanization introduces endocrine-disrupting chemicals that compound reproductive risks for both men and women.

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Abstract

Infertility is emerging as a significant but under-recognized public health challenge in many developing countries, with profound demographic, psychosocial, and economic consequences. Cameroon provides a compelling case study for examining the multifactorial drivers of rising infertility across sub-Saharan Africa. This paper synthesizes epidemiological evidence to analyze infectious, health-system, environmental, and socioeconomic determinants shaping infertility patterns. Persistent reproductive tract infections including untreated sexually transmitted infections, post-abortal sepsis, and puerperal infections remain leading contributors to tubal factor infertility. Weak health-system capacity, limited access to skilled obstetric and gynecological care, inadequate laboratory diagnostics, and fragmented referral pathways exacerbate delayed diagnosis and treatment. Environmental exposures, including pesticide use, heavy metals, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals associated with rapid urbanization and informal industrial activity, further compound reproductive risks for both men and women. Socioeconomic pressures poverty, gender inequities, stigma, and limited insurance coverage for fertility services intensify barriers to timely intervention and amplify psychosocial distress. The Cameroon case illustrates how infectious burden interacts with structural and environmental vulnerabilities, producing a cumulative risk framework rather than isolated causes. Addressing infertility in similar contexts requires integrated strategies encompassing infection prevention, strengthened reproductive health systems, environmental regulation, male reproductive health inclusion, and financial protection mechanisms. Recognizing infertility as a cross-sectoral development issue is essential for advancing reproductive justice and sustainable population health outcomes in resource-constrained settings.

Key findings

  • Persistent reproductive tract infections, specifically untreated sexually transmitted infections and post-abortal sepsis, are leading contributors to tubal factor infertility in the region.
  • Weak health-system capacity characterized by limited access to skilled obstetric care, inadequate diagnostics, and fragmented referral pathways exacerbates delayed diagnosis and treatment.
  • Environmental exposures such as pesticide use, heavy metals, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals associated with urbanization significantly compound reproductive risks for both genders.

Keywords

InfertilitySocioeconomic statusReproductive healthEnvironmental healthFertilityPublic health

Identifiers

DOI
10.30574/ijsra.2026.18.3.0443
Journal
International Journal of Science and Research Archive
Year
2026