The Role of Media in the De-Stigmatization of Infertility in Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate how the Nigerian newspaper reports infertility and its potential effect on stigmatization. Background: Infertility, a devastating condition, is a universal problem affecting a considerable number of people. However, perceptions on the causes and consequences of infertility differ across societies. The approach in which the media outlines issues can influence the public’s understanding and interpretation of those issues. Media coverage of infertility contribute and affects the social construction, perception and understanding of fertility, which tends to elicit behaviors that directly or indirectly stigmatize individuals with infertility. The present study will investigate the framing of newspaper reports on infertility with respect to causes and solutions. Methods: A content analysis was conducted on the reports of two newspaper organization that contained the key word ‘infertility’ from January 2017 to April 2018 (N = 96). The articles were analyzed and coded using a pre-determined themes. Results: The most commonly cited treatment was in-vitro fertilization (IVF), the interpretation of infertility framed by the media were unduly ascribed to female–related issues, the main cause of infertility were identified to be mainly female-related, and the evaluation of the experiences of infertility was mainly from female perspective. Conclusion: The Nigerian newspaper reports tends to present infertility as a serious and predominantly a women’s disease. This partial representation of infertility may be a source that promotes the social and cultural stigmatization directed at women in the Nigerian society. The consequences for the societal perception and understanding of infertility are discussed. Keywords: Infertility, Stigmatization, Media, Framing DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/12-14-04 Publication date: July 31 st 2022