Infertility affects the quality of life of Southwestern Nigerian women and their partners

Abstract

Background: Infertility has been described as one of the most important reproductive health concerns of Nigerian women. Based on the importance placed on offspring in Africa; infertile women experience high levels of psychological distress, relationship conflicts and hazardous sexual behaviors. The aim of this study was to explore the challenges those infertile women, and their partners experience in the cultural context of Southwestern Nigeria and how those experiences affect their access to health care services. Methods: The study employed a qualitative research design. In-depth interviews were conducted with fifteen participants diagnosed with primary or secondary infertility, and who were receiving treatment at a tertiary health care center in Ekiti State, Southwestern Nigeria. Thematic categorization and content analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: Fifteen participants, 13 women and 2 men, were selected based on attendance to the infertility clinic and their willingness to participate in the study. The participants reported having experienced negative emotional and psychological effects of infertility, and stated that infertility has affected them socially, psychologically and in their relationships. Two of the participants stated that their partners had abandoned them because of their inability to conceive. Most of the participants stated that there was social stigma associated with infertility and almost all (14 of 15) said the society is not doing enough to support people facing fertility problems. All the participants utilized medical interventions and religious activities to treat infertility. Conclusion: Infertility presented a psychological burden for Nigerian women and their partners, affecting them in many spheres of life. The Nigerian societal construct is not supportive of couples facing fertility problems. Support groups should be created for couples who have experience similar challenges. These groups would allow individuals to come together to freely discuss and share their experiences, thus helping to alleviate the psychological distress associated with infertility.