Umeora O.U.J., Ejikeme B.N., Sunday-Adeoye I., Umeora M.C.
Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria; St.Vincent's Hospital, Ndubia, Igbeagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria; P.O. Box 980, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State 480001, Nigeria
Umeora, O.U.J., Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria, St.Vincent's Hospital, Ndubia, Igbeagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, P.O. Box 980, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State 480001, Nigeria; Ejikeme, B.N., Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria, St.Vincent's Hospital, Ndubia, Igbeagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria; Sunday-Adeoye, I., Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria; Umeora, M.C., Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria
This study evaluated the rate and factors influencing male uptake of infertility investigations. Infertility constituted 11.2% of all new gynaecological consultations in the centre during the study period. A total of 61 (70.1%) males consented to seminal fluid studies without much hesitation, 12.4% after much persuasion, while the remainder (17.5%) refused. Obliging doctor's recommendation was the primary motivation for those who willingly had seminal fluid studies while the claim to be healthy and not being responsible for infertility were the commonest barriers for reluctance or refusal to be investigated. Fears of exposure of semen so obtained to witchcraft and rituals were also contributory. Gynaecologists working in rural South-east Nigeria should through systematic public enlightenment dispel misconceptions of necessary medical intervention. © 2008 Informa UK Ltd.
adult; article; attitude to health; consultation; controlled study; cultural factor; environmental exposure; environmental factor; evaluation; fear; human; major clinical study; male; male infertility; Nigeria; priority journal; ritual; rural area; seminal plasma; social class; sperm; witchcraft; Adult; Age Distribution; Attitude to Health; Cohort Studies; Cultural Characteristics; Developing Countries; Female; Humans; Incidence; Infertility, Male; Male; Middle Aged; Nigeria; Patient Compliance; Questionnaires; Risk Factors; Rural Population; Socioeconomic Factors; Sperm Count; Sperm Motility