ABSTRACT
Background
Infertility is a major medical condition that affects many married couples in Delta State and as such associated with several social meanings. This study therefore explored community's perception of childbearing and childlessness in Delta State.
Methods
The study was exploratory and qualitative using in-depth and key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Fifteen marriage unions with infertility (childless), forty-five couples with children, and eight key informants were purposively sampled and interviewed using a semi-structured interview guides in Warri, Delta State. Three focus group discussions were also carried out, one for childless women, one for women with children and one with men with children. The data collected were transcribed, coded, arranged, and analyzed for categories and themes and finally triangulated.
Results
The study revealed that infertility was caused by both social and biological factors. Socially couples could become infertile through supernatural causes such as bewitchment, and disobediences of social norms. Abortion, masturbation, medical, ovulatory, pelvic, age related, behavioural, pelvic inflammatory disease, psychological and use of contraceptives were also identified as causes of infertility. Most childless couples seek treatment from spiritualist, traditional healers and hospitals. These sources of treatment are used simultaneously.
Conclusion
Childbearing is highly valued in the Delta State and Childlessness is highly engendered, and stigmatized in this community with manifold social consequences. In such a community therefore, the concept of reproductive choice must encompass policies that make it possible for couples to aspire to have the number of children they wish.