The President, Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON), Prof. Brian Adinma, has lamented the high rate of infertility in the country.
In an interview with Daily Sun, the senior gynaecologist said infertility had become a big problem in Nigeria with prevalent rate between 15% and 60% depending on area.
He said, “Infertility is a big problem in the sense that there is no couple that come together, especially among the blacks that will not want to have children.
“The prevalence of infertility in the country varies. Available data is mostly institution-based but varies depending on what work had been done in specific places.
For instance, today we could say from 25 per cent to 40 per cent of couples in the country have infertility problem. I can also tell you that based on work done in some places; the rate of infertility is about 15 per cent.
“There are areas that it is as high as 40 per cent. Infertility is also dependent on whether it is primary infertility or secondary infertility.
“Furthermore, based on work that we have done on consultations in gynaecological clinics in eastern Nigeria, we can tell you that infertility accounts for about 45 per cent to 60 per cent of couples.”
He identified pelvic infection, hormonal imbalance, environmental factors and health history of the patient as leading causes of infertility.
The don disclosed that while many cases of infertility were hormonal and therefore unpreventable, many patients suffer infertility as a result of their lifestyles.
“Even if we have to purchase drugs, we should not take drugs like antibiotics except in doses and type that has been prescribed by a medical doctor.
“If we use drugs indiscriminately, the body will build resistance against those drugs, apart from infections which may arise. What we mean is that in any type of medical treatment, we should see a doctor who will do investigations and treat according to the sensitivity of the drug.
“Once we can stop our people from going to treat themselves. Let them get the right doctor. Then for people who are infertile or those grouped under infertility, do not start jumping from place to place. Go and see a doctor.
“Any doctor that’s in his right senses should refer such a person to a gynaecologist because if you are able to see a gynaecologist, the treatment will be cost effective.”