Perceptions and Health Care-Seeking Behaviours for Infertility in Sagamu, Nigeria

Amoran OE, Animashaun VJ, Oyelekan AAA, Sholeye O

Background: Infertility is a reproductive health morbidity and a major public health issue in many developing countries. Objective: To assess the perception and health care – seeking behaviours of couples for infertility in Sagamu Local Government Area (LGA), southwest Nigeria. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted over a three-week period between May and April, 2013 in Sagamu LGA of Ogun State, Nigeria using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data was collected by trained interviewers using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: A total of 500 participants were surveyed. Majority, 73.8% believed that sexually transmitted infections cause infertility while 90.5% opined that previous abortion causes infertility whereas 86.1% believe that unsafe abortion is related to infertility. Some (11.0%) believed that infertility is mainly spiritual. The prevalence of infertility in the population was 16.8%. Among those with infertility, 44.6% have sought help from the spiritualists. Conclusion: This study showed that about half of the people with infertility have sought help from the spiritualist as a treatment option. Couples should be encouraged to visit hospitals for proper medical management of infertility problems.