[Difficulties in conceiving. Discussion about methodology concerning the INED-INSERM survey carried out in France in 1988 on 3,181 women aged between 18 and 49].
Different types of enquiries can be carried out in the field of infertility: descriptive ones (to find out the "frequency" of difficulties in conceiving and their causes) or analytical ones (to show and quantify the risk factors). A descriptive one was conducted on a representative national sample of women ages 18 and 49 years by INED and INSERM in 1988. The results shown here deal with the proportions of women who had had difficulties in conceiving as well as those who had consulted doctors for this reason. One notes that 27% of the women who were questioned had had difficulties and of those who had been waiting for more than one year, 62% had consulted a doctor. On the other hand, from the knowledge that has been gained from this enquiry, some methodological points are discussed, as far as the precise definition of infertility, the sample on which the study is carried out as well as the measured variable (prevalence, annual incidence and cumulative incidence). A particular reference is made to another enquiry carried out on patients who consulted because of infertility in three departments of France in 1988-89.
Ducot
B
B
INSERM U292, Hôpital de Bicêtre, Le Kremlin Bicêtre.
Spira
A
A
Thonneau
P
P
Toulemon
L
L
Léridon
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007246:Infertility / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*
Difficultés à concevoir. Discussion méthodologique à propos de l'enquête INED-INSERM réalisée en France en 1988 sur 3 181 femmes âgées de 18 à 49 ans.