BACKGROUND: Most African societies have no tradition of idealized celibacy or voluntary childlessness. Although the norms on parenthood are changing, adults are customarily expected to marry and bear children. AIM: This study examined the perceived value of children among infertile couples in Kwara South, Nigeria. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven infertile couples recruited through snowball sampling technique. Data were organized using ATLAS.ti 8 and analyzed by thematic analysis. RESULTS: The study revealed that perceptions of the value of children are embedded in sociocultural norms and are strongly linked to religion, patriarchy, and the need for family/marriage sustainability. Childbearing was perceived as the fulfillment of divine injunction; as such, children were regarded as divine. While women believed children are sources of fulfillment and balanced life, most men saw them as life itself. Boys are collectively thought to ensure lineage security and confer honor and prestige on men. A child is believed to give women a permanent seat in marriage. CONCLUSIONS: These insights on the values of children within the Nigerian cultural context can be inculcated in programs and services targeted at alleviating the effect of infertility on childless couples. Innovative cultural programs that will increase the worth of the girl child are also encouraged.

Infertility is perceived differently across socio-cultural contexts and studies have shown these perceptions affect the overall management of infertility. This study specifically explored the sociocultural definition and perceived cause of infertility among married infertile persons experiencing primary infertility in Kwara South, Nigeria. The study adopted a qualitative exploratory design. Snowball sampling technique was used to recruit infertile persons for this study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews of 13 infertile married women and 7 infertile men. The data was analyzed using conventional content analysis with the aid of Atlas.ti 7. Findings showed that infertility is defined as barrenness and childlessness. It is perceived as an undesirable private marital problem and not a disease. Infertility is believed to be men and women problem. However, it is assumed to be primarily caused by women. Sociocultural factors rather than biomedical factors were exalted as primary causes of infertility. These include lifestyle choices or habits like worldliness (waywardness/promiscuity, alcoholism, substance abuse and diet); sociocultural beliefs centered on dirtiness, abortion, curses, spiritual oppression, witchcraft/sorcery, wrong mate selection, trial and punishment from God. Rape, menstrual disorder and low sperm count were also reported. Understanding these perceptions will enhance the development of culture-specific programs targeted at managing infertility in Nigeria.