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Coping Strategies Of Clients With Fertility Challenges Attending Obstetric And Gynaecological Clinic
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Worldwide, more than 70 million couples
suffer from infertility. In sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence differs
widely from 9% in the Gambia, 21.2% in north-western Ethiopia, 11.8%
among women and 15.8% among men in Ghana and between 20 and 30% in
Nigeria (National collaboration centre for women and children health,
2012). In African culture, the meaning of marriage is only fulfilled if
the woman conceives and bears children as they are seen as sources of
power and pride as well as assurance of family continuity.
Anthropological and sociological studies bear testimony to the
considerable suffering associated with involuntary childlessness due to
negative psychosocial consequences such as marital instability, abuse
and stigmatization (Dyer, Abraham, Hoffman & Van der Spy, 2012).
In
Nigeria, the prevalence of infertility has been studied in demographic
surveys, epidemiological surveys and through clinical observation
(Okonofua, 2010). The Nigeria demographic and health survey for the
period 2006-2010 reported a prevalence rate of primary infertility of
22.7% in 15-49years old women and 7.1% in 25-49years old (Okonofua,
2010). The inability to have children affects both men and women across
the globe and lead to distress and depression as well as discrimination
and ostracism (Cui, 2010). In order to deal with the stress of
infertility, couples adopt various coping strategies.
According
to Jordan & Revenson (2013) Coping strategies are ways in which one
learns to deal with stressful situations. Every one copes with stress
differently. Over time, people construct coping strategies that are good
for mental wellness. Coping with infertility is often challenging
because “infertility can be conceptuali zed as a chronic, unpredictable,
and (personally or medically) uncontrollable stressor that may exceed
the couple’s coping resourcesâ€. Carrol, Robinson, Marshall, Callister,
Olsen, and Dyches, (2011) noted the following coping strategies
including distancing themselves from reminders of infertility (such as
avoidance of families with children), instituting measures for regaining
control, acting to increase feeling of
self-worth in other areas of their lives such as achieving professional
success, trying to find meaning in infertility, or sharing the burden
with others.
Many people have reported encountering a number of
stressors associated with the medical diagnosis of infertility. These
stressors include but not limited to stress related to endurance, sexual
functioning, quality of their relationship and changes in their social
and family as well as family networks (Newton, Sherrad & Glavac,
2014). The severity and frequency of these stressors can contribute to
negative outcomes such as psychological distress or marital
dissatisfaction. To curb the potential negative consequences of
excessive infertility stress, couples often use a number of coping
strategies. This study investigated the various coping strategies
utilised by clients with fertility challenges attending Obstetrics and
Gynaecological (O and G) clinic of University of Maiduguri Teaching
Hospital (UMTH).
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]This study was on coping strategies of clients with fertility challenges attending Obstetric and Gynaecological clinic of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the use of escape/avoidance coping strategy by couples with fertility challenges, determine the use of self controlling coping strategy by couples with fertility challenges, determine if couples with fertility challenges use social seeking support as a coping strategy and assess if couple ... Continue reading---
