Domestic Violence amongst Infertile Women Attending Gynaecological Clinic at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Globally, regardless of socioeconomic or educational levels of couples, domestic violence affects the quality of life of millions of women with infertility. In many cultures the premium on childbearing is considerably high, yet most times women are the ones constantly held responsible for a couple’s infertility and is often punished socially and economically as a consequence. Infertility has been associated with domestic violence, especially with the intimate partner. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and pattern of domestic violence among women who attended the Gynecology clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital for infertility. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study involving 372 women diagnosed with infertility and attending the gynecological clinic at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital from May 1, 2021 to November 31, 2021. The prevalence of domestic violence among these infertile women was 32.26%. Among these participants 48 (12.9%) had experience physical violence, and 84 (22.58%) experienced emotional abuse. Also, 72 (19.35%) of the participants answered ‘Yes’ to husband as source of abuse while in each of 60 (16.13%) participants the violence was from Mother and Sister in-law respectively. It is concluded that women infertility suffer emotional, physical, psychological and even sexual violence. These acts of violence are commonly perpetrated by husband, mother and sister in-laws.