Awareness of fertility period among women attending immunization clinic at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: There is a global concern about poor awareness of fertility. Knowledge of fertility period even among fertile women will reduce the burden of infertility. The objective of this study was to determine the awareness of fertility period among fertile women at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH). Patients and Methods: It was a descriptive study among 220 consenting women at AKTH over a period of 3 months, following approval by the hospital management. Structured pretested questionnaires were administered. Data were analyzed with a computer using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 computer software. Results: Two hundred and twenty women were recruited. The mean age ± standard deviation (SD) were 28.47 ± 5.91. One hundred and eighty-four (83.64%) of the respondents knew the duration of their menstrual interval, while 36 (16.36%) were unaware. Menstrual intervals of 30 days was the model (24.50%) followed by 28 days (20.50%). One hundred and seventy-one (77.70%) respondents were aware that pregnancy is related to menstrual cycle, while 49 (22.30%) were not aware. Also, 129 (58.60%) knew their last menstrual periods, while the remaining 91 (41.40%) did not. One hundred and seventeen (53.20%) respondents knew what fertility period meant, while 103 (46.80%) were ignorant of it. Only 85 (38.60%) of the respondents were aware of their fertility periods, while 135 (61.40%) were not. Similarly, only 13 (5.90%) knew any method to determine fertility periods, while 207 (94.10%) did not. Conclusion: The study revealed good knowledge of fertility awareness among fertile women, but awareness of fertility period was lacking.