ABSTRACT
Background
Infertility is a major medical condition that
affects many married couples in Delta State and as such associated with several
social meanings. This study therefore explored community's perception of
childbearing and childlessness in Delta State.
Methods
The study was exploratory and qualitative
using in-depth and key informant interviews and focus group discussions.
Fifteen marriage unions with infertility (childless), forty-five couples with
children, and eight key informants were purposively sampled and interviewed
using a semi-structured interview guides in Warri, Delta State. Three focus group
discussions were also carried out, one for childless women, one for women with
children and one with men with children. The data collected were transcribed,
coded, arranged, and analyzed for categories and themes and finally
triangulated.
Results
The study revealed that infertility was caused
by both social and biological factors. Socially couples could become infertile
through supernatural causes such as bewitchment, and disobediences of social
norms. Abortion, masturbation, medical, ovulatory, pelvic, age related,
behavioural, pelvic inflammatory disease, psychological and use of
contraceptives were also identified as causes of infertility. Most childless
couples seek treatment from spiritualist, traditional healers and hospitals.
These sources of treatment are used simultaneously.
Conclusion
Childbearing is highly valued in the Delta
State and Childlessness is highly engendered, and stigmatized in this community
with manifold social consequences. In such a community therefore, the concept
of reproductive choice must encompass policies that make it possible for
couples to aspire to have the number of children they wish.
Keywords: Infertility, childlessness, women, data
analysis, treatment, psychological
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
ABSTRACT
2.
INTRODUCTION
3.
FEMALE INFERTILITY ITS EFFECT ON CHILD BEARING
WOMEN IN DELTA STATE
4.
PREVALENCE OF INFERTILITY IN CHILD BEARING
WOMEN IN DELTA STATE
5. FACTORS
RESPONSIBLE FOR INFERTILITY AMONG CHILD-
BEARING
WOMEN IN DELTA STATE
6.
OTHER RISK FACTORS AND CAUSES OF INFERTILITY IN CHILD BEARING
WOMEN
7. MEDICAL HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF
INFERTILE COUPLES IN DELTA STATE
8. DIAGNOSTIC AND IMAGING TESTS FOR INFERTILITY
IN CHILD
BEARING WOMEN
9.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
10.RESULTS
11.DISCUSSION
12. REFERENCES
