CHALLENGES & COPING STRATEGIES FACED BY CLIENTS WITH INFERTILITY ATTENDING OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY CLINIC AT RASHEED SHEKONI FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL DUTSE, JIGAWA STATE

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the challenges & coping strategies adopted by clients with infertility attending the obstetrics and gynecological clinic of RSTH Dutse. Literature related to the study was reviewed. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed, and data was obtained through a self-administered questionnaire. Data was collected from 201 women with infertility challenges. Data obtained were analyzed with SPSS version 26.0. The study works with three objectives so as to identify the predisposing factors associated with infertility among clients with infertility attending O&G clinics, also to determine the challenges faced by clients with infertility, and to identify the strategies used in coping with challenges faced by clients with infertility. Findings from the study revealed that the highest proportion (42.3%) of the respondents were within the ages of 25-29 years, and more than a third (34.2%) were Fulani, with the majority (88.2%) of them married. married (88.2%). The majority (61.7%) of the cases were primary in nature, more than half (51.7%) of the cases commonly affected only the females, and more than a third (34.2%) had hormonal dysfunction. The prevalence rate of infertility was found to be 10.9%, with more than half (54.2%) of them having a history of underlying diseases such as sexually transmitted infections, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and others. The majority (61.7%) of the respondents reported that they observed a change of behavior from their partners; however, only a minority (39.3%) reported that they experienced stigmatization from society, and the majority (73.6%) of them claimed not to doubt their sense of motherhood. The majority of the respondents reported employing divisional therapy (71.6%), prayers/supplication (94.0%), and denial (79.1%) as coping strategies. Involving partners and getting financial aid were coping strategies among 69.1% and 81.6% of the respondents, respectively. More than half (59.2%) of them considered adopting a child as a coping strategy. The study has the following recommendations: Staff in the health facility should add more effort to enhance spousal participation and encourage them to stay by their partners, particularly in the course of counseling. Government should implement the policy of penalizing those discriminating against and stigmatizing people living with infertility.