PREVALENCE OF INFERTILITY AMONG WOMEN OF CHILD BEARING AGE AT GYNAE CLINIC OF STATE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL MAIDUGURI

1.1 Introduction

Women Infertility is the inability to become pregnant or carry a pregnancy to full term, there are many causes of infertility, including some that medical intervention can treat (Makar et al., 2002). Estimates from 1997 suggest that worldwide “between three to seven per cent of all (heterosexual) adult genders have an unresolved problem of Infertility. Men infertility due to deficiencies in the semen, and semen quality is used as surrogate measure of Men fecundity (Cooper et al., 2010). Young and healthy adult genders with infertility problem should seek prompt help from the healthcare providers. Treatment depends on the cause of infertility, but may include counseling, fertility treatments, which include in vitro fertilization (Hfea, 2021).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

The causes and effect of infertility are the major problems which most married are faced with in our environment. A psychological rating of infertility adult genders released in (1985) showed that 50 percent of women and 15 percent of the men felt that their infertility was the most upsetting experience they had ever had, emotion stirred by childlessness is strong and deep. Hannah mother of the biblical prophet Samuel, remained infertile year after year until God remembered her and blessed her with Samuel (I Sam. 48) this particular story had a happy ending unfortunately not all infertile stories have the same happy end. However, new advances in the treatment of infertility have now made it possible for an increasing number of infertility adult genders to achieve pregnancy.

According to Eva Martin (2000) stated certain event must take place in a women body for pregnancy to occur, ovulation which is the release of an egg from the ovary the uniting of the egg and a man’s sperm and attachment of the embryo to the lining of the uterus. Infertility according to the web dictionary the Merck Manual 18th edition November 2005 can be defined as an inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse. Infertility according to Marck Manuals online medical library stated (Feb. 2003) infertility can be defined as inability of a couple to pregnancy after repeated intercourse without contraception for one year.

According to Eve Martin (2000), pregnant after one year of regular unprotected intercourse (sex) while not using any birth control and according to American society for reproductive medicine Birmingham Alabama (2005) infertility is a disease defined by the failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of more unprotected intercourse.

A couple is considered clinically infertile only if pregnancy has not occurred after at least 12 months of regular sexual activity without the use of contraceptives. At the teaching hospital university of Ibadan Nigeria gynecologist and senior lecturer Dr. Ayodele who is also a former FHI fellow says that clients are discouraged from seeking infertility service until they have failed to conceive for an entire 24 months. Infertility is discovered to be found in men and women. Quality treatment is a major tool for eradicating infertility, if it is properly administered.

According to Hunault Ejikeman (2002) many factors infections, environment, genetic disorder, and dietary in origin can contribute to infertility. But this list includes factors that produce sub-fertility, which may not ultimately prevent conception or may subside, and important question then is which of these are the major causes of infertility that likely will not reverse without clinical intervention.

Between 1979 and 1984, the WHO Taskforce on diagnosis working for infertility at 33 medic centers in 25 countries throughout the develop and developing world. This was the largest epidemiological study of its kind providing data on major causes of infertility.

Therefore, in Gynae Clinic of State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Prevalence of Infertility among Women of Child Bearing age.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation reveals the Prevalence of Infertility among Women of Child Bearing age at Gynae Clinic of State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri, the study attempts a thorough examination in the causes effect and treatment of infertility which causes problems between married adult genders emotionally, cheating on each other, this can still; live happy even if infertility is their problem. The men and women should seek help from a professional doctor (gynecology) that can give them solution to their problems.

It was observed that some married people in Gynae Clinic of State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri do not have any children after a long period of their marriage despite that they did not use any contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. Infertility among married couple has led to broken homes, divorce, physical violence, stigmatization, and discrimination especially to women of Maiduguri in Borno State. They are sometimes pushed out of their husband’s house without granting them access to their husband’s properties, most of the women are sent back to their father’s house where they are cajoled and mocked by their sisters-in-laws and given them sort of names just to destabilize them.

Inhale cigarette smoke can decrease fertility and may affect reproductive outcomes such as causing delayed conception in active female smoking. Active and passive smoking also causes increased risk of miscarriage during pregnancy, which is potentiated by the amount cigarettes smoked per day. While it is well documented that cigarette smoke contains 4,000 chemicals and is associated with a number of potential health complications such as cardiovascular disease, more research is needed to establish a link to infertility (Pineles, Park, & Samet, 2014). Particular problem stemming from lesser STIs includes facilitation of HIV infection, later development of some anal and cervical cancers, complication during and after pregnancy and male and female infertility (Richardson, Franco, Pintos, Bergeron, Arella & Tellier 2000).

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to determine the Prevalence of Infertility among Women of Child Bearing age at Gynae Clinic of State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To examine the effect of infertility in women at Gynae Clinic of State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri,
2. To evaluate the physiological effect of infertility in both gender at Gynae Clinic of State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri,
3. To proffer solution that will assist both genders to control their emotional feeling concerning their situation, and
4. To raise the hope of infertility women, with right treatment or medical care and also trade medical.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Does improvement on reproductive health care services will help reduce infertility and help in educating the society about infertility?
• Does infertility affect female gender at Gynae Clinic of State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri?
• Is infertility caused by ignorance on poor nutrition?
• Can ignorance on sexually transmitted disease lead to infertility if not treated on time?
• To what extent can smoking be perceived as a cause of infertility among women of child bearing age?
• To what extent will Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) be perceived as a cause of infertility among women of child bearing age?
• What is the effect of infertility in women at Gynae Clinic of State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There is no physiological effect of infertility in women at Gynae Clinic of State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri
• H1: There is physiological effect of infertility in women at Gynae Clinic of State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri

Hypothesis Two

• H0: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) will not significantly be perceived as a cause of infertility
• H1: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) will significantly be perceived as a cause of infertility

Hypothesis Three

• H0: Smoking will not significantly be perceived as a cause of infertility among women of child bearing age
• H1: Smoking will significantly be perceived as a cause of infertility among women of child bearing age

1.7 Significance of Study

The outcome of this study should be able to serve as a reading text to many who want to gain broader knowledge about the causes, effects treatment of infertility. The findings may lead other investigator to expand on the scope, findings out how the society treats infertile adult genders. In a nut shell this piece of work will offer useful suggestion to infertile adult genders counselors, medical personnel and finally to the society that in fertile adult genders need to be shown concern and not mockery, counseling and courage.

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.8 Scope of Study

The study focuses on the Prevalence of Infertility among Women of Child Bearing age at Gynae Clinic of State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri in Borno State.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint:The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure:This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.10 Definition of Terms

Infertility:

This is the inability for a couple to conceive after one year unprotected intercourse. The fault may be from one of the partner or both of them.

Ovulation:

This is the release of mature egg from an ovary or it is the discharge of ovules from the ovary.

Embryo:

This is the fertilized egg form during the fusion of Male and Female reproductive cell.