The Trend of Infertility in a Tertiary Hospital in South-South Nigeria

Background: Infertility is a pervasive reproductive health challenge that significantly affects couples in Nigeria, with profound social, emotional, and economic implications. In South-South Nigeria, limited local data exist on the prevalence and etiological trends of infertility, underscoring the need for a focused evaluation in tertiary healthcare settings.  Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, identify the predominant causes, and assess the treatment modalities of infertility among patients at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).  Methods: A retrospective review of 192 patient records diagnosed with infertility was conducted over a three-year period at RSUTH. Data on demographics, infertility type (primary or secondary), duration, etiological factors, and treatment approaches were extracted from clinical records using a structured pro forma. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21, with significance set at p<0.05.  Results: The patient cohort ranged in age from 21 to over 45 years, with the highest prevalence observed among the 31–35 (34.9%) and 36–40 (31.8%) age groups. Secondary infertility was predominant (83.9%) compared to primary infertility (16.1%). Female factors were notably responsible for most cases, with hyperprolactinaemia (33.9%), tubal factors (13.0%), and anovulation (8.3%) emerging as the leading causes. Male factor infertility accounted for 7.3% of cases, while unexplained infertility was noted in 5.7%. Treatment interventions varied, with bromocriptine (25.0%) and assisted reproductive technology (19.8%) being the most frequently employed modalities.  Conclusion: The study highlights a high prevalence of secondary infertility at RSUTH, predominantly driven by female etiologies, particularly hyperprolactinaemia. These findings reflect both the cultural importance of childbearing in Nigeria and the necessity for comprehensive, multidisciplinary reproductive health services. Further research is warranted to explore long- term outcomes and optimize treatment strategies for infertility in this region.