Plain English summary
Background
Methods
Study design
Study location
Recruitment of participants
Data collection
Validity and integrity of the data
Data analysis
Results
Selected characteristics | Total | Lagos State | Osun State | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frequency | % | Frequency | % | Frequency | % | |
Age group | ||||||
15–34 | 18 | 40.5 | 10 | 45.5 | 8 | 40.0 |
35–50 | 24 | 59.5 | 12 | 54.5 | 12 | 60.0 |
Total | 42 | 100.0 | 22 | 100.0 | 20 | 100.0 |
Education attainment | ||||||
None | 4 | 9.5 | - | - | 4 | 20.0 |
Primary education | 16 | 38.1 | 8 | 36.4 | 8 | 40.0 |
Secondary education | 18 | 42.9 | 11 | 50.0 | 7 | 35.0 |
Tertiary | 4 | 9.5 | 3 | 13.6 | 1 | 5.0 |
Total | 42 | 100.0 | 22 | 100 | 20 | 100 |
Religious affiliation | ||||||
Christianity | 19 | 45.2 | 12 | 54.5 | 7 | 35.0 |
Islam | 19 | 45.2 | 9 | 40.9 | 10 | 50.0 |
Others | 4 | 9.5 | 1 | 4.5 | 3 | 15.0 |
Total | 42 | 100.0 | 22 | 100.0 | 20 | 100.0 |
Occupation | ||||||
Full-time housewife | 4 | 9.5 | 2 | 9.1 | 2 | 10.0 |
Farming/manual jobs | 7 | 16.7 | 2 | 9.1 | 5 | 25.0 |
Trading | 20 | 47.6 | 11 | 50.0 | 9 | 45.0 |
Clerical jobs/services | 11 | 26.2 | 7 | 31.8 | 4 | 20.0 |
Total | 42 | 100.0 | 22 | 100.0 | 20 | 100.0 |
Duration of marriage | ||||||
≤ 4 years | 8 | 19.0 | 4 | 18.2 | 4 | 20.0 |
5–9 years | 27 | 64.3 | 14 | 63.6 | 13 | 65.0 |
10 years & above | 7 | 16.7 | 4 | 18.2 | 3 | 15.0 |
Total | 42 | 100.0 | 22 | 100.0 | 20 | 100.0 |
Reproductive health challenges identified
“Everything is ok for us, but the doctor confirmed that he has a challenge with the quantity of the sperm.” (Woman, aged 15–34).“My husband has a problem with continuing erection, he sometimes withdraws midway” ( Woman , aged 35–50).
Coping mechanisms
Support from family doctors
“Why would you hide from those that can help you”? “You can’t hide from those who [can] deliver you” ( Woman, aged 35–50).“Doctors are held in high esteem in our town, they are highly respected and most people have confidence in them because they are trained to keep secrets” ( W oman aged 15–34).
Resignation to fate
Support from community leaders
Changes in sexual behaviour
“Now tell me, what is marriage without sex? Just to sleep together or be his cook?” (Woman, aged 15–34).
Divorce or separation
“If you want to manage it you can stay. […] If you want a child desperately, you don’t need to wait or announce your departure from his house” (Woman, aged 15–34).
“If your man is the only bread winner of the family, you would not want to divorce or leave him just because of that [sex]” (Woman, aged 15–34).“If kids have been there before the problem comes, what do you do, would you leave your children? No, you just have to stay for the sake of your children” ( Woman, aged 15–34).
“If there is deep loving affection between couple, come rain and the sun, they stay together” ( Woman, aged 35–50).
Reporting sexual health problems
“It is a painful situation”. “[…] It has never been a subject of open discussion since ages”. (Woman, aged 35–50).“Most men you see around have so much under their clothes, I mean, they hide so many problems to themselves” (Woman, aged 35–50).
“You remain silent over it”, “[…] it is not a subject of discussion with your neighbours”. ( Woman, aged 35–50).“If the man hears you tell anyone, he might scrape off your head” ( Woman, aged 35–50).