Male Reproductive Health Challenges And Conjugal Relationships Among The Yoruba In Lagos And Osun States Of Nigeria

Abstract

The involvement of men in the concept and treatment of reproductive health has only

been in the context of the supportive roles they are expected to play without taking

cognizance of the fact that men also have reproductive health needs. Till date, the impact

of male reproductive health challenges within the conjugal relationship has not been

brought to limelight or conspicuous in the literature. This study examined male

reproductive health challenges and conjugal relationship among the Yoruba in the

Southwest geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The study locations consist of eight wards that

were randomly selected from two local government areas chosen from the two states that

were selected from the Southwest geopolitical zone in Nigeria. The target population

consists of married men with reproductive health challenges and their spouses. Both

quantitative and qualitative research techniques were adopted in the data gathering. The

structured interview covered 432 husbands and 435 wives that were selected following

“key-informant-leading approach”. Six focus group discussions were held in the two

states of study among two age groups of (15-34 years) and (35-74 years). In addition, indepth

interviews were conducted with stakeholders. Quantitative data were analyzed

using univariate, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Five models were

specified with each taking its root from the conceptual framework. The qualitative data

were analyzed using content analysis that was moderated with content observation

technique.

The first model considered the interrelationships between selected socio-demographic

characteristics and male reproductive health diseases. In this model, age (p-value =

0.0000), religion (Christianity, p-value = 0.001, Islam, p-value = 0.018), occupational

status (p-value = 0.000) and education (p = 0.0000) were significantly related to the

incidence of male reproductive health challenges. Those in ages 15-34 years and 35-54

years are 27.7 and 5.5 times more likely to experience male reproductive health diseases

than those in age group 55-74 (the reference category) at p-value of 0.000. Christians and

Muslims are 19.6 times and 8.6 times more likely to have male reproductive health

challenges than those that practice traditional religion. Model II estimated the effects of

male reproductive health challenges on marital satisfaction. It revealed that prostate

cancer, erectile dysfunction, low sperm count and gonorrhea are negatively associated

with marital satisfaction. However, only erectile dysfunction and low sperm count are

statistically significant at p-value of 0.005 and 0.0053 respectively. The analysis revealed

that where the husband experiences erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer or gonorrhea, the

couples are 0.064, 0.898 and 0.583 times (respectively) less likely to enjoy marital

satisfaction.

The third model shows that age group 35-54 years, higher educational attainment and

couple’s income are negatively associated with couple’s closeness. It revealed that wives

would likely stay with their husbands irrespective of sexual health dysfunction if they

earn higher income. However, higher educational attainment are negatively related with

couple’s closeness where the challenge is present. Prominent among the coping strategies

employed by the affected wives are: seeking intervention from their religious leaders (pvalue

= 0000), violent behaviour (p-value = 0.000) while those that report to family’s

doctor would be 16.742 times more likely to keep their marriage. Other models revealed

that age groups 15-34 years and 35-54 years are negatively related to changing sexual

pattern (p-values = 0.023 and 0.019 respectively). The result indicated that wives in

higher occupational cadre such as senior executive, senior military officer and middle

officers would be 0.050, 0.216 and 0.367 times less likely to change their sexual pattern

compared to the unemployed. Where spouses are staying or sleeping together, there

exists 0.271 less likelihood of the wife looking for other sexual partners.

The study concludes that age, education and religious affiliation are vital in the

assessment of the incidence of male reproductive health challenges. It is paramount for

marriage counselors, social workers and other health officials to focus on erectile

dysfunction and low sperm count as major determinants of sustainable marriage and

marital happiness. Governments and other stakeholders should focus on massive public

awareness on male reproductive health diseases in order to promote happiness in conjugal

relationship. The author therefore suggests women empowerment and establishment of

robust specialized reproductive healthcare services in all the nooks and crannies of

Nigeria for effective servicing of the health needs of men who are experiencing any

sexual problem. Finally, the prevalence of these challenges in the study locations should be seen as window of opportunity for therapists to find solutions.