Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of clients seeking assisted conception at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Nigeria

Abstract

The socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of 246 consecutive couples seeking assisted conception in a university teaching hospital in Nigeria from inception in 2011 till 2014 were reviewed restrospectively. Eighty-five (34.5%) were in the 35–40 years age group. The body mass index of the women showed that 111 (45.1%) were overweight. One hundred and ninety five (88%) were referred on account of secondary infertility. The mean duration of infertility was 9.6 ± 4.8 years. Major factors identified were male factor 128 (52%), ovarian/age-related decline in fertility 107 (43.5%), tubal 83 (33.7%) and combined male/female factor 71 (28.9%). One hundred and ninety (77.2%) clients seeking assisted conception were Christians at advanced age (greater than 35 years) with a longstanding duration of infertility of more than 10 years. Government, private and religious organisations need to raise public awareness about the availability of in-vitro fertilisation services as well as encourage early resort to assisted reproductive technologies.

Impact statement

• What we already know: Secondary infertility due mainly to tubal factor is reported to be the commonest cause of infertility in developing countries like Nigeria and clients affected seek assisted reproductive techniques late.

• What the results of this study add: Male factor infertility is more common amongst infertile couples seeking in vitro fertilisation in LASUTH.

• The implications of the findings for practice and/or further research: A thorough examination of the male partner followed by investigation is vital at the initial visit so that they can be referred early for assisted conception.

Keywords:

• Socio-demographic
• characteristics
• infertility
• in-vitro fertilisation
• Lagos
• Nigeria

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.