Bridging the gap in infertility care: The role of community health nurses in early detection and management in ruralpopulations

Abstract

Infertility is a significant public health concern that affects millions of couples worldwide and has profound physical, psychological, social, and economic consequences. In rural populations, limited access to healthcare services, lack of awareness, cultural beliefs, stigma, and delayed health-seeking behaviour often prevent couples from receiving timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Community Health Nurses (CHNs) play a pivotal role in bridging this gap by promoting reproductive health awareness, identifying couples at risk of infertility, facilitating early detection, providing counselling, and ensuring timely referral to specialized healthcare services. The present study focuses on bridging the gap in infertility care by examining the role of Community Health Nurses in the early detection and management of infertility among rural populations. The study highlights the importance of community-based nursing interventions in increasing awareness about infertility, educating couples on modifiable risk factors, encouraging early medical consultation, and improving access to reproductive healthcare services. It also emphasizes the contribution of Community Health Nurses in reducing misconceptions and stigma associated with infertility through health education and continuous community engagement. A quantitative research approach with an appropriate study design was adopted to assess the effectiveness of Community Health Nurse-led interventions in improving awareness and facilitating early identification of infertility among rural couples. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from the selected participants after obtaining informed consent. Educational sessions, counselling, and referral guidance were provided as part of the intervention. The effectiveness of these interventions was evaluated by comparing participants' knowledge and health-seeking behaviour before and after the implementation of the programme