The effect of cadmium pollution on reproductive health in females / 中华流行病学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship between cadmium pollution and its adverse effects on female reproductive health status in people living in cadmium polluted area in Zhenghe, Fujian provinces.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data through laboratory studies on reproductive health of female residents in Cd-pollution area were studied and compared with those in control areas in Zhenghe.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both prevalence rates of abnormal menstrual cycle and dysmenorrhea in unmarried women in Cd-pollution area (19.1% vs. 42.6%) were significantly higher than those in control area (5.7% vs. 18.9%) and the rates of sterility in married women in Cd-pollution area (6.3%) were significantly higher than those in control area (1.1%). During the first two pregnancies, rates of queasiness, disgorgement, spontaneous abortion and stillbirth in married women in polluted area were 44.7%, 31.7%, 10.27% and 4.23%, significantly higher than those 26.5%, 17.8%, 2.85% and 1.05% in control area, with significant differences (P < 0.05). Results from cumulative odds model analysis showed that living in Cd-pollution area was a possible risk factor related to female reproductive health (OR = 2.072), after the other risk factors being under control.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The female reproductive health status of people residing in the cadmium polluted area had already been deteriorated.</p>