Psychosocial Impact of Infertility Among Women of Reproductive Age Attending Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria

Mary Saidu; Phoebe Nwamaka Kanikwu; Juliana Afemikhe

doi:10.56201/ijmepr.v10.no5.2026.pg29.42

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Psychosocial Impact of Infertility Among Women of Reproductive Age Attending Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria

Mary Saidu, Phoebe Nwamaka Kanikwu, and Juliana Afemikhe

Abstract

Infertility is a significant reproductive health challenge with profound psychological and social consequences, particularly among women in cultures where motherhood is strongly linked to social identity and marital stability. This study assessed the psychosocial impact of infertility among women of reproductive age attending Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design was employed among 199 women diagnosed with primary or secondary infertility and attending the Gynaecology and Fertility Clinics of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing socio- demographic characteristics, psychological impact, and social consequences of infertility. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation at a significance level of p < 0.05. Findings revealed that infertility was associated with substantial psychological distress among respondents, including anxiety, depressive symptoms, emotional isolation, reduced self- esteem, and feelings of hopelessness. A strong positive relationship was observed between duration of infertility and psychological impact (r = 0.717, p < 0.01). The study also demonstrated significant social consequences, including stigma, weakened relationships, avoidance of social gatherings, and feelings of societal failure. Duration of infertility was significantly associated with social consequences (r = 0.728, p < 0.01). Infertility constitutes a major psychosocial burden among women of reproductive age, extending beyond reproductive difficulties to affect emotional well-being and social functioning. The findings highlight the need for integrating mental health assessment, counselling services, family-focused interventions, and stigma reduction strategies into infertility care to improve the overall well-being of affected women.

Keywords

Infertilitypsychosocial impactwomen of reproductive ageNigeria.

References

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Psychosocial Impact of Infertility Among Women of Reproductive Age Attending Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Keywords

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