Prevalence, Clinical Pattern and Major Causes of Male Infertility in Nnewi, South East Nigeria: A Five YearReview

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Infertility is a major cause of marital disharmony in Nigeria because of the high premium placed on child bearing. Unfortunately, the blame is on the woman most times. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence, clinical pattern and major causes of infertility based on the clinical and laboratory findings of both partners. METHODOLOGY: This is a descriptive retrospective study of 268 infertility cases that presented at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi over a five-year period, between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2009. RESULTS: Of the 1449 patients that presented at the gynaecology clinic, 268 came because of infertility giving a prevalence of 18.5%. The mean age was 39.1±6.0 years .The majority ( 68% )stopped formal education at the secondary level. Seventy-two percent were employed as unskilled workers. 13% admitted the history of alcohol intake while none took tobacco. The mean duration of infertility was 5 years. The more frequent type of infertility was secondary infertility (59%). The leading cause of male infertility was oligospermia. Male factor infertility alone accounted for 52 (25%)of the cases. CONCLUSION: Contribution of male factor to infertility is high. There is a need for public education on the contribution of male factor to infertility.

Keywords: Prevalence, clinical pattern, male infertility,
Nigeria