Assessment of indicators of reproductive health of the population of the Trans-Ural Republic of Bashkortostan in 2000–2020

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The reproductive health of a population depends on many factors one of which is chemical pollution of the environment caused by both natural conditions and man-made impacts. The population living in geochemical provinces is often subject to pathological conditions caused by a lack, excess or imbalance of macro- and microelements. This study was carried out in the Republic of Bashkortostan in areas of natural and man-made anomalies with excessive content of heavy metals in the environment. AIM: To analyze the demographic profile and assess the reproductive health of the population of the Trans-Ural zone of the Republic of Bashkortostan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive ecological study of the trend of reproductive health of the population of the Trans-Ural zone of the Republic of Bashkortostan was carried out using average population indicators. Statistical data presented in the open press by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Bashkortostan for the 20002020 period were used. These data included demographic indicators, infant mortality, frequency of congenital malformations, and morbidity of children within the first year of life. RESULTS: In all the areas studied, there was a tendency for a decrease in the birth rate and an increase in the mortality rate. The highest average birth rate of 19.8 was recorded in the Burzyansky District and the lowest of 13.1 in the Zilairsky District, which was higher than the republican average of 12.4. During the study period, there was a significant decrease in infant mortality both in the republic and in the Trans-Urals regions. Average infant mortality rates relative to congenital malformations among newborns in the Sibay, Baymaksky, and Zianchurinsky Districts as well as the relative risk of blood diseases in children of the first year of life in most of the studied areas was higher than the average republican level. CONCLUSION: Reproductive health of the population of Sibay for the period 20002020 is exposed to a higher risk of congenital malformations and infant mortality than the average republican level. In the Baymaksky, Zianchurinsky, Uchalinsky and Khaibullinsky Districts, the risk of developing blood diseases in children within the first year of life was higher than the average republican level. The results further indicate the need to take measures to reduce risks and improve the safety of reproductive health of the population of the mining region.