Infertility among Women Accessing Care in Selected Fertility Clinics in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined infertility among women accessing care in selected fertility clinics in Port Harcourt. The study was a descriptive survey of selected fertility clinics in Port Harcourt. The target population included all women on fertility treatment in the clinics during the period of conducting the study (March to June 2019) which totaled 362. The entire population was used in the study; hence the total sampling technique was employed. A structured scale with a reliability index of 0.82 reflecting the study variables was used as the data collection instrument. Analysis of data from field survey was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 was employed in the data analytical process. And results were presented in tables. Results revealed that out of the 362 respondents studied, 156(43.0%) were experiencing primary infertility while 206(57.0%) had secondary infertility problems; of all causes of infertility among women, uterine problems contribute 10%, tubal disorders 22%, ovulation problems, 60% and unknown causes, 8%; that there is a significant relationship between age and experience of infertility among women (>0.05). The study concludes that there is a higher incidence of secondary than primary infertility among women. The need for women of child bearing age to be educated on the factors associated with secondary infertility and the measures that can be taken to prevent its occurrence is recommended.