ASSESSMENT OF THE EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL WELLBEING OF COUPLES LIVING WITH INFERTILITY IN NIGERIA: REDUCING THE RISK THROUGH HEALTH EDUCATION (KNOWLEDGE) ABOUT THE USE OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess whether health education (knowledge) about the use of Assisted Reproductive Technology services (ARTs) can alleviate infertility problems amongst infertile couples
in North Central Zone of Nigeria. To achieve this purpose, one (1) research question and one (1) hypothesis guided the study. The use descriptive was used for the study. The population comprised of
all couples who are affected by either primary or secondary infertility in North Central Zon e of Nigeria
and was estimated at 2,915,729. The sample size was 768 infertile couples representing 4% of the target population per hospital attendance as suggested by Research Advisor (2006) that in a population of 2,915,729, a sample size of 384 can be used at 0.05 levels, 5% margin error and 99% confidence interval. However, the researcher doubled the figure to have a wider coverage of respondents for the purpose of generalization of findings to the target population (The higher the number, the better the generalization of results. Stage 1 : Stratified sampling technique was used to divide the zone (6 states and the FCT)
into three strata 1. (Niger, Kwara), 2. (Benue, Kogi), 3. (Plateau, Nasarawa) and the FCT based on the
geopolitical distribution that is North Central North (NCN), North Central East (NCE), and North
Central West (NCW), that is, (NCN = Niger, Kwara; NCE = Benue, Kogi, NCW = Plateau, Nasarawa)
respectively. Stage II : Purposive sampling technique was used to select the FCT Abuja, since it is the
Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria and that because it has the highest number of assisted reproductive
technology hospitals situated therein. Stage III: Involved the use of simple random sampling technique
to select 3 States, thus, Kwara, Plateau, an d Benue using fishbowl method by writing all the names of
States on pieces of papers, folded and dropped into three different containers according to their stratum
so that all states have equal chance of being selected (randomization). Consequently, a tota l of 3 states
and the FCT were selected, making a total of 4 states being selected for the study. Stage IV: Purposive
sampling technique was used to select all the 3 hospitals in Plateau, the 2 in Benue State, and 3 in
Kwara State. And a simple random samp ling technique was used to select ART hospitals out of 17 ART
hospitals situated in FCT Abuja. Descriptive statistics of frequencies and simple percentages were used to describe the demographic characteristics of the respondents. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research question, and an inferential statistics of One Sample t-test was used to test the null hypothesis at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The results revealed that health education (knowledge) about ART services is significant determinant to alleviate infertility problems amongst infertile couples in North Central Zone of Nigeria (t critical = 30.064; p=0.000). Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that, health education (knowledge) about ART services is a determinant to alleviate infertility problems amongst infertile couples in Nigeria. And on the basis of the conclusion drawn, it was recommended that: Sensitization programmes should be encouraged in all media outfits using the policy-makers and public health experts to work in conjunction