title: Impaired fertility in African-American women: an investigation of behavioral risks.
abstract: African-American women are disproportionately affected by impaired fertility. The literature reflects a number of potential behavioral risks associated with fertility impairment. However, few researchers have investigated these risks in African-American women. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between behavioral factors and impaired fertility in African-American women. A secondary analysis of data was employed from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) and multiple logistic regression techniques were used to develop an explanatory model of impaired fertility in a sample of 364 African-American women of childbearing age. Findings from this current study suggested that factors directly related to impaired fertility included increasing age, current smoking, self-reported health status, and a history of gynecologic problems. Protective effects were associated with previous condom use. Using the knowledge of behavioral threats to fertility, women's health-care providers can screen and assist women in modifying their fertility risks.
authors.affiliation: Boston College William F. Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA. kellywee@bc.edu
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kelly-Weeder
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001519:Behavior; D044383:Black People; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000208:ethnology*; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D001741:Black or African American