Prevalence and Etiological Pattern of Infertility in Women Presenting to a Gynecology Clinic in a Secondary Health Facility, South-South, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Infertility is a major reproductive health problem with significant social, psychological, and economic consequences. In Nigeria, cultural expectations surrounding childbearing may intensify stigma and emotional distress, particularly among women. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and causes of infertility among women attending the Gynaecology Clinic of Central Hospital Agbor. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study involves all women presenting with infertility who completed the basic fertility investigations at the CHA gynecology clinic between January 1st and December 31st, 2024. Participants were recruited after obtaining informed consent using a consecutive sampling technique over a period of one year. A data extraction form was used to document the sociodemographic characteristics, clinical history, and investigation results. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS for Windows, version 25. RESULTS: The average age of the participants in the study was 32.5 ± 5.8 years. The study found an infertility prevalence of 34.4%, with primary and secondary infertility comprising 41.3% and 58.7%, respectively. The commonest associated factor responsible for infertility in this study was male factor infertility, 37.4%, while female, combined, and unexplained factors made up 33.0%, 16.0%, and 13.6%. Tubal blockage was the most commonly identified factor associated with female infertility (19.4%), while Anovulation, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids were the associated factors in 14.1%, 9.7%, and 8.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study highlights a high infertility rate of 34.4% among women presenting to a gynecology clinic in South-South Nigeria, with male infertility being the predominant factor. This underscores the need for comprehensive evaluation and management of both partners in infertility cases, emphasizing the importance of male factor assessment in addressing this significant public health concern.