Intimate Partner Violence and Infertility Among Currently Married Women in Nigeria

Marital satisfaction and happiness is a mirage without childbearing in a typical African society. Due to acclaimed impact of stress and psychological disorder of intimate partner violence (IPV) on women’s sexual and reproductive health this study examined the relationship between IPV and infertility experience among currently married women in Nigeria. 19,655 eligible currently married women who had been living with partner/spouse for at least two years preceding the survey were selected from a total 38,948 respondents of 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey for the present study. Descriptive bivariate and a three model binary logistic regression were used to examine net impact of female genital mutilation/cutting on infertility experience in Nigeria. The findings showed that prevalence of infertility was relatively low (3.1%) among the currently married women who were living with their partners in the last two years preceding the survey among which the study revealed that 83% and 16% respondents experienced primary and secondary infertility respectively. Though, the study revealed a significant relationship between ever experienced intimate partner violence and fertility status of currently married women but IPV was negatively correlated with infertility experience among currently married women in Nigeria. The study concluded that prevalence of infertility was relatively low among the currently married women who were living with their partners in the last two years preceding the survey. Though, the study revealed a significant relationship between ever experienced intimate partner violence and fertility status of currently married women but IPV was negatively correlated with infertility experience among currently married women in Nigeria.

Keywords: Infertility, Partner violence, Conception, Child bearing, Nigeria