Perceived Causes and Psychosocial Consequences of Infertility among Women in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Background Infertility remains a global reproductive health concern, affecting individuals on medical, social, and emotional levels. In resource-limited settings like Nigeria, women are most affected, often facing stigma, strained relationships, and inadequate access to reliable information or fertility services. Nevertheless, limited research in Nigeria explores women’s awareness of infertility, their beliefs about its causes, and the social or emotional difficulties they face. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 110 infertile women attending the gynecological clinic at University College Hospital, Ibadan. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, analyzed with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests at a 5% significance level. Results The mean age of respondents was 34.7 ± 6.9 years. More than half [53.6%] demonstrated good knowledge of infertility. The psychosocial consequences were profound: negative societal remarks [93.6%], unhappiness or depression [91.8%], experiencing domestic violence or threats of a second marriage [87.3%], and stigmatization [80.9% ]. Findings showed that the level of education significantly influenced knowledge about infertility [χ²=5.507, p = 0.014]. In addition, knowledge was significantly related to perceived causes [χ²=15.538, p < 0.000] and psychosocial consequences [χ²=37.319, p < 0.000] Conclusion This study highlights substantial knowledge gaps, persistent misconceptions, and severe psychosocial consequences of infertility among Nigerian women. Addressing these gaps through reproductive health education, community sensitization, and psychosocial support is critical to reducing stigma and improving the quality of life for women affected by infertility.