Assessing Fertility – Seeking Behavior of Infertile Men and Women in Osun State, Nigeria

Tolulope M. Ola, University of Ado-Ekiti

Fertility – seeking behavior is one of the consequences of infertility. To avoid the severe and several consequences of infertility, infertile patients go through different modes of fertility – seeking behavior. The fertility-seeking behavior of the respondents were explored in this study to know their fertility seeking pattern, their choice of treatment outlet, reasons for choice and non-choice of treatment outlets and report of treatment outcome. The respondents’ source of information about the different treatment outlets utilized was also studied. A Cross-sectional survey was carried out from August 2006 to October 2006 in six Enumeration Areas of Osun State, Nigeria. Socio-economic status, quality of care and level of education were significantly related to the choice of treatment outlets for infertility. There is dire need to counsel infertile patients on the causes and management of infertility, as these determine their fertility-seeking behavior.