INFERTILITY AND GENDER DIFFERENCE IN REACTION AMONG COUPLES AND FAMILY AND COMMUNITY TREATMENT: A STUDY OF PATIENTS ATTENDING N.K.S.T. HOSPITAL MKAR IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated the incidence of marital instability among couples experiencing involuntary childlessness. The study employed the qualitative research design. Data was obtained from patients who reported for treatment at the infertility clinic in N.K.S.T Hospital, Makar, in Gboko LGA of Benue State, Nigeria through focus group discussions (FGD). Furthermore, healthcare providers and community members were also engaged through in-depth interviews. The result of the study shows that both men and women were in disbelief when they found that they were infertile. Similarly, men and women reacted differently to infertility and this is connected with family and community treatment. Furthermore, community members linked infertility to evil spirits, ancestral curses, witchcraft manipulations and promiscuity. The study concluded that community education and sensitisation is vital towards dispelling the myth associated with infertility causes, prevention and treatment and the understanding that only women can be infertile.