title: Psychosocial characteristics of female infertility in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Women with infertility experience higher rates of psychological distress compared with their fertile counterparts. In developing countries, socio-cultural factors may aggravate this distress. We aimed to determine the prevalence of psychological distress as well as its associated socio-cultural characteristics among women attending the infertility clinic of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women (n=100) attending an infertility clinic were consecutively recruited over a two-month period and compared with a similar number of pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at the same hospital. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed to record socio-demographic and clinical variables. The 30-item General Health Questionnaire was used to screen for psychological distress.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of probable psychological distress was significantly higher among the infertile group compared with their fertile counterparts (P<0.001). There were significant differences between the groups in terms of their mean age (P<0.01), employment status (P<0.02), educational status (P<0.01), and duration of marriage (P<0.001). Infertile women who had previously sought help from a traditional or faith-based healer for infertility were more likely to experience probable psychological distress (P<0.017).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infertile women are more vulnerable to psychological distress and require psychological support. There is a need to incorporate mental health screening and treatment in the routine care of infertile women in Nigeria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Services, Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. jomoaregba@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Joyce O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Omoaregba
authors.forename: Bawo O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Ambrose O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Lawani
authors.forename: Olufemi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Morakinyo
authors.forename: Osasu S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Olotu
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult