Infertility: A study of clinical presentation knowledge and perception among infertile womes in Bauchi Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Infertility is a global reproductive health issue and affects 48.5 million couples of whom around 10 million live in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of the study was to document the prevalence, clinical presentation and knowledge of the causes of infertility among infertile women in Bauchi, northern Nigeria. Methods: This was a hospital-based prospective study of the prevalence and knowledge of infertility amongst 406 women in Bauchi between 1st July 2013 and 30th June 2014. Data were analysed for descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 20. Results: The prevalence of infertility is 23.9%. In the study, 38.2% had primary infertility and 61.8% secondary. Tubal factor infertility (TFI) was the predominant cause in 41.1% of cases. Majority (81%) of the respondents had poor knowledge of risk factors for infertility and over 70% believed in supernatural causes. Those with secondary level of education or higher (4.78 CI 2.35-9.71) and those who were employed 3.08 (1.44-6.58) had significantly better knowledge. Almost three-quarters (299, 73.6%) believed that women bear the blame for infertility Conclusion: Infertility is a common presentation and the secondary type is predominant in this setting with tubal factor as the main cause. There is a low level of knowledge of the causes and risk factors. Comprehensive reproductive health education would potentially prevent this reproductive morbidity.