Infertility is causing serious strain on relationships in Ghana, according to new research. Women facing difficulties in conceiving are more likely to experience relationship breakdowns.
The groundbreaking study, led by Dr. Jasmine Fledderjohann from Lancaster University, examined data from 1,364 Ghanaian women over six years. The data was gathered by the Population Council of New York and the University of Cape Coast across six Ghanaian communities.
Key findings from the study include:
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Women who consider themselves infertile face a higher risk of relationship problems.
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Married women with infertility are less likely to experience relationship breakups compared to infertile women in non-marital relationships.
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Women in polygynous marriages face greater vulnerability to relationship instability, separation, or divorce than those in monogamous marriages.
The report, titled “Difficulties Conceiving and Relationship Stability in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Ghana,” was published in the European Journal of Population.
Infertility’s impact on relationship stability in Sub-Saharan Africa has been little studied before. Previous small-scale research, including work by Dr. Fledderjohann, showed women who identify as infertile feel at greater risk of marital problems. However, until now, it was unclear if this perception matched actual breakup statistics.
This new study offers clear evidence that infertility does increase the likelihood of relationships ending.
The research also highlights the importance of studying non-marital relationships. Non-marital childbearing has been rising in Ghana, and infertile couples who are not married may end their relationships before marriage happens. Ignoring these couples in research may miss the group most at risk of relationship breakdown—something this study confirms.
Dr. Fledderjohann stated, “The study confirms what many women have long suspected: difficulties conceiving can raise the chance of relationship disruption. This applies to both married and unmarried women.”
She added, “Interestingly, this link appeared only when women themselves identified as infertile. Medical tests didn’t show the same connection. When it comes to infertility and relationships, how women perceive their fertility matters most.”
The study provides much-needed data to better understand how infertility affects relationship stability in Ghana and similar contexts.
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