Healthcare experts in Andhra Pradesh have expressed concern over decreasing fertility rate in the state during the past 3 years. According to a senior gynaecologist Dr K Sowbhagya, radiation, tobacco consumption, alcohol addiction, lack of nutritious food and sleeplessness are said to be the causes for the decline in the birth rate among the couples in the state.

The infertility rate has reached to alarming stage during the past 3 years as large number of married couple in the state of Andhra Pradesh are flocking In Vitro Fertility (IVF) centres seeking help from gynaecologists for getting children.

According to a recent report by NITI Ayog, the total fertility rate (TFR) has declined from 1.8 to 1.6 in Andhra Pradesh in the last three years. Under normal conditions, women in the age group of 18-45 years can give healthy birth to 13 children during her complete reproductive cycle.

However, in the past two decades, the TFR among the women has come down to 2 and below and now it is reached to 1.6. Meanwhile, men are also losing the fertility due to various reasons. According to the healthcare experts approximately 41 per cent of men are suffering from problems caused by inadequate count of spermatozoa cells and this is mainly caused due to high usage of mobile phones and other radiation emitting electronic gadgets, smoking, gutka, alcohol consumption and inadequate sleep. “The rising rate of infertility in the state is a big cause of concern, research studies have shown high radiation emitting electronic gadgets like electronic mobile phones, CT Scan and X ray are among the top 10 reasons for low sperm count in men and low TFR in the state,” informed Dr K Sowbhyagya.

As per the research by the healthcare experts, the net reproductive rate (NRR) has also reached the alarming stage. Normally, one woman has to give birth to two female babies. However, in Andhra Pradesh the NRR has now reached to only 1. Western outfits and dress culture of tight jeans and tight fits are also among other reasons that are damaging the spermatozoa among men. “Wearing of tight trousers will badly affect the functioning of testicles. In addition to this, smoking habit among men as well as women is impacting on the sperm count,” averred the healthcare experts.