PERCEPTION OF WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE (15-45years) ON CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF INFERTILITY IN OSOGBO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Infertility brings about low self-esteem, sense of powerlessness, discrimination and stigmatization as well as threatens the woman’s identity, status, marital and emotional security. This study examined the perception of women of childbearing age on causes and consequences of infertility. A descriptive non experimental research design was used. A sample frame of 40 respondents was selected using purposive sampling technique among women of childbearing age. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Three null hypotheses were tested using student t-test at 5% level of significance.

The study revealed that irregular sexual intercourse, irregular menstruation, untreated sexually transmitted diseases, late marriage especially above 30years of age, fibroid, low sperm count, unsafe abortion, and promiscuity were factors contribute immensely to increase infertility rate. Majority of the respondents opined that infertility could result in divorce or separation of couple which can lead to extinction of that family name, husband’s family inherit his property after his death, polygamy or polyandry, loss of hope, lack of joy and happiness in the family.  The findings of this study revealed that there is no significant difference in the age religion of women under study and their perception on causes and consequences of infertility with t-calculated>t-tabulated (2.54 > 4.3); as well as, there is no significant difference was found between the age at marriage of women under study and their perception on causes and consequences of infertility with t-calculated>t-tabulated (2.56 > 4.3). The results also revealed that there is significant difference in the religion of women under study and their perception on causes and consequences of infertility with t-calculated<t-tabulated (7.64 < 4.3). It was concluded that sound family life education should be given to the public especially women and adolescents teenagers with emphasizes on causes, prevention and management of infertility.