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Trends in Infertility in Cameroon and Nigeria

1995; Guttmacher Institute; Volume: 21; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/2133320

1943-4154

Ulla Larsen,

Reproductive Health and Technologies

Data from the 1978 World Fertility Survey (WFS) and the 1991 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) for Cameroon and the 1981-82 WFS and 1990 DHS for Nigeria are used to examine infertility by age region and sexually transmitted diseases. The analysis includes only women who entered their first marriage at least five years before the survey. Data are weighted. The proportions childless are based on all women who were married at least seven years before the survey and weighted data. Findings indicate that infertility declined from 43% to 39% in Cameroon and from 36% to 33% in Nigeria. Age patterns of infertility were similar for both countries. It is ruled out that biases in level of infertility resulted from contraceptive use and sexual abstinence or lack of sexual activity or misrecording. In Cameroon prevalence of infertility was highest in the North. Infertility declined at all ages up to the age of 35 years in the Center-South Littoral and Southwest and West Regions. It remained the same or increased at older ages. Western Cameroon had the lowest infertility. Infertility declined regionally and by age in Nigeria. Infertility was lowest in the Southwest and highest in the Northeast and Northwest Regions. Infertility was the same in northeastern Nigeria and bordering northern Cameroon. Childlessness declined from 12% to 6% in Cameroon and from 6% to 4% in Nigeria. None of the infertile women had used contraception. Childlessness declined from 18% to 7% in the North Region of Cameroon and remained stable at 5% in the Littoral and Southwest Region. Childlessness in the Southeast and Southwest Regions of Nigeria was 1% or less. The Hausa in Nigeria were found to have higher levels of infertility than among other groups. Infertility was highest among women who initiated intercourse under the age of 13 years but even this population had declining fertility during the survey years. Desired number of children was higher than womens parity in both countries. Infertility prior to marriage or childbirth was higher in Cameroon.