Use and pattern of previous care received by infertile Nigerian women

Abstract

BackgroundPrevalence of infertility in sub-Saharan Africa is high yet fertility care, its development and access is limited in resource-poor countries like Nigeria so infertile women resort to different forms of treatment. This study aimed to determine the use and pattern of previous treatments.MethodologyThis was a descriptive Cross Sectional study conducted at a tertiary hospital in North-Western Nigeria. Interviewer administered pretested questionnaires were administered to 236 consenting clients seen at their first visit to the gynaecology clinic with complaints of inability to conceive, between January 2016 to March 2018. We collected information on demographic and reproductive characteristics, previous fertility treatment and other data relevant to infertility. Descriptive analysis was done using SPSS software version 22.ResultsTwo hundred and thirty six clients participated in the study and majority were 20–29 years (44.5%), with a mean age of 31.5 ± 7.4, while the mean age of their husbands was 41 ± 8.0. More clients were educated up to secondary level or above (80.9%), with more Muslims (65%) than Christians. All clients were married except one, most clients had been married for 5 years or more, 18.2% were in their second order of marriage and 28% were in polygamous marriages. Many of the clients were homemakers (46.6%) and earned an average monthly income of less than fifty thousand naira. About 59.3% of clients presented with primary infertility, with 15.7% being infertile for duration of more than 10 years. One hundred and forty six respondents (61.9%) had received previous hospital treatments before presentation to our facility, 37% had visited more than three hospitals, 70% did not have adequate investigations done, treatment was successful in 15% while 40.7% received traditional treatments. Husbands of women receiving previous treatment were slightly older (p value < 0.05).ConclusionMajority of woman have multiple and unnecessary visits to several hospitals for infertility care with little positive results despite time and resources spent. Quality of infertility care needs to be improved.

Pregnancy in older women: Analysis of outcomes in pregnancies from donor oocyte In- vitro fertilization

“…This corroborates previous reports of increasing uptake of IVF by women who had hitherto delayed seeking orthodox treatment or infertility. [ 10 11 ] In addition, several reports have shown donor egg IVF to be a successful option of Assisted reproduction technique (ART)even for women of advanced age. [ 11 12 13 ] Our CPR of 41.6% for DO IVF treatment is comparable to other studies where CPR of 33%–55% has been reported.…”

Spontaneous pregnancies and determinant factors in infertility: A cross-sectional study

“…Moreover, the initial experimental management for six-month results were reported in couples with unexplained sub-fertility and that an intermediate prognosis of natural conception is effective (3,14). We also know that female age has a prominent negative impact on fertility and the solutions are not simple, however, an alternative like validated dynamic models could predict both natural and ART-mediated in short time (15).…”

Absence of a Legal Framework, a Limitation to the Practice of Surrogacy in Nigeria

“…In India, about 10-14% of the population is faced with infertility with greater rates in urban areas where 1 out of 6 couples are affected [4]. Infertility constitutes about 50% of gynaecological consultations in developing countries and the Prevalence of infertility in sub-Saharan Africa is reported to be higher, with 10-30 % of couples affected in Nigeria [5], others reported prevalence of 20 % with equal male and female affectation [6]. In more recent study, a higher prevalence to the tune of 30-40% was reported in Sub-Saharan Africa [7].…”