Contextual and Social Factors Influencing Male Fertility in Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives Fertility level remains relatively high in Nigeria. Currently, it peaks at about six children per woman. Many studies have suggested targeting men in family planning programs to reduce fertility levels, particularly in patriarchal societies. Nigeria, being a patriarchal and multiethnic society, males’ influence on fertility behavior remains indisputable. Thus, this study explores contextual factors, such as sociocultural norms, beliefs, preferences, and perceptions, that influence male fertility behavior across different ethnic groups in Nigeria. Design The study uses qualitative data that involved focus group discussion (FGD) and in-depth interview (IDI) from three geopolitical zones in Nigeria, with each zone representing the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria. Six IDIs and four FGDs were conducted in each of the three selected regions among men making a total of 18 IDIs and 12 FGDs, respectively. The data were transcribed and exported to Atlas.ti software for analyses. Results Some of the beliefs and perceptions mentioned include influence of religion, polygamy, socioeconomic status, government policy, peer pressure, culture, and sex preference. These factors were found to vary considerably across tribes/ethnic groups. Conclusions Findings from this article show that there are other factors beyond individual factors that affect fertility behavior among men. Thus, there is a need to take into consideration the unique community structures in subsequent population-oriented social policy reviews and implementation to tackle high fertility behavior in Nigeria.

Psychological and Emotional Responses to Climate Change among Young People Worldwide: Differences Associated with Gender, Age, and Country

“…In Nigeria, for example, where concern was comparatively high, there was comparatively little hesitation about having children (23% in Nigeria, 42% in Finland, for example). Scholars have linked the high fertility rates in Nigeria to strong patriarchal power structures [35] and a strong cultural stigma toward infertility [36], among other factors. Thus, the example of Nigeria shows how a complex set of factors affects the manifestations/impacts of climate anxiety.…”

Traditional supports and contemporary disrupters of high fertility desires in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

“…Second, a decrease in cash crops and agricultural yield reduces the economic value of children [ 37 – 40 ]. Importantly, in many studies respondents indicated that while they continue to desire a large number of children, they had come to the conclusion that this was ill-advised under current conditions [ 15 , 39 , 41 – 43 ]. As a respondent in Agadjanian’s (2005) study states, “Now it seems that people don’t want to have many children, but it is not so.…”

“…Another cultural and social norm that can influence fertility desires is gender/sex preference. In many communities, male offspring are more highly valued than female, and this preference has an effect on fertility desires, with extended childbearing in order to have male children a common practice [ 41 ]. Most studies (n = 32) found that persons who hold a sex preference have higher fertility desires.…”

“…Children were seen as a gift from God that were not to be refused or otherwise influenced. Some participants felt that Muslims have large numbers of children because Allah wants them to and because their religion allows men to have more than one wife [ 41 , 52 , 113 , 137 ]. Here, the intersection of polygyny and religion may create desires for large families.…”

Psychosocial Stress and Problems toward Infertility: A Pilot Study of Differences between Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Infertile Couples in Toronto, Canada

“…The diagnosis of infertility could be a devastating blow to Asian couples, and similar beliefs exist in African cultures. A study by Adewole and colleagues reported that men in many developing African societies view having children as a great achievement in their life (Adewole, Omotoso, & Asa, 2020). In contrast, people from European origins adhere more to individualism.…”