CHAPTER ONE

                                                          INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of study.

Reproduction is known as an essential human desire so that infertility may cause a great deal of psychosocial impairment [1]. According to WHO, infertility is defined as a disease of the reproductive system in which pregnancy does not occur after 1 year of continued intercourse [1]. Infertility is considered as a global concern which affects many aspects of life in both genders [1]. The rates even go up to 186 million people around the world [2].

  Infertility may work as a painful emotional experience [2]. It can cause a lot of psychological issues including stress, anxiety, depression, diminished self-esteem, declined sexual satisfaction, and reduced quality of life [3]. The resulted psychosocial issues affect the female gender adversely more than her spouse [2], especially in societies where there are prejudices against women [3]. As such, an infertile woman may show a relatively high level of frustration and anger which affect her relationship with family, friends and even her spouse. Likewise, infertile women are more likely to develop mental illnesses, marital dissatisfaction, and impaired quality of life compared to the individuals of fertile group [3]. 

According to WHO, quality of life is a concept used to describe development, growth, and well-being which reflects individuals’ perceptions of their position in the community as well as their goals, expectations, standards, and priorities [4]. Attitudes toward women’s infertility are often influenced by ethnic and cultural groups [5]. In the eastern societies, the community mainly expects women to play a role as a mother.

Cameroon’s health system does not offer public social security; therefore couples have to bear the full cost of their infertility care. In addition, hospitals are poorly equipped to handle the pathologies mentioned above. Furthermore women suffering from infertility are severely stigmatized. [6]

1.2       Rationale

The perceptions towards infertility are from the gender as well as society point of view. In many societies infertility is viewed and perceived as women’s business. The woman is blamed, not only by her partner but also the relations and by herself, for the problems that the couple faces with childbearing. She shoulders the greatest burden of social stigma and suffering caused by infertility as it is traditionally perceived as her problem [7]. Life without children was perceived not worth living as there will be no one to inherit the properties of the deceased and that there will be no continuity of the family name.[7] Several social implications that infertile individuals are subjected to in society. Given the value placed on children in sub-Saharan Africa, the infertile couples mostly experience difficult marital relations which often times than not results in domestic violence, permanent separation or divorce couples with infertility often face social stigmatization and are publically isolated. They mostly suffer abuse physically, and in more extreme terms they may even plan to harm themselves through committing suicide. Domestic violence and dissolution of marriage occur significantly more often among the infertile couples compared with couples in fecund relationships [8]. However the parents of your husband would like to have grandchild and the mother in law will subject you to all sorts of accusations even if the man may be the one with the infertility problem.” (Woman participant)

This study will enable the researcher to assess the knowledge on the effect of infertility on women quality of life under the age of 18 – 45years

 1.3      Goal of study.

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of infertility on women’s quality of life under the age of 18 – 45years

 1.4      Research Question

1. What is the effect of infertility on woman’s quality of life under the age of 18 – 45 years?
2. What is the psychological effect of infertility on women’s?
3. What is the psychosocial effect of infertility on women’s?

1.5       Objective

1.5.1    General objective

 To assess the effect of infertility on women’s quality of life under the age of 18 to 45 years

1.5.2    Specific Objective

1. To assess the effect of infertility on woman’s quality of life under the age of 18 – 45 years
2. To assess the psychological effect of infertility on women’s under the age of 18 – 45 years
3. To assess the psychosocial effect of infertility on woman’s under the age of 18 – 45 years