Infertility: Cultural Dimensions and Impact on Women in Selected Communities in Kenya

bibliographic database
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Periodical article

Title:	Infertility: Cultural Dimensions and Impact on Women in Selected Communities in Kenya
Authors:	Kimani, Violet Olenja, Joyce
Year:	2001
Periodical:	African Anthropologist (ISSN 1024-0969)
Volume:	8
Issue:	2
Period:	September
Pages:	200-214
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs.
Geographic terms:	Kenya East Africa
Subjects:	women infertility Health and Nutrition Women's Issues Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Fertility and Infertility Cultural Roles Marital Relations and Nuptiality sociology reproductive health Cultural environment Childbirth Traditional culture social status
External link:	https://www.ajol.info/index.php/aa/article/view/23110
Abstract:	Infertility is a growing problem in Africa and affects the lives of many couples. As a health problem, it is largely culturally and socially constructed in such a way that even though it affects a couple it is the woman who bears the burden. This perspective has major implications for women whose status hinges on fertility performance. This paper presents the cultural construction of infertility and how it impacts on the lives of infertile women in Kenya. The presentation is based on material collected through key informant interviews. Overall, infertility not only erodes the status of infertile women but also threatens their source of livelihood. The burden of infertility is compounded by the fact that at the national population programme level it is underplayed as a problem, the main focus being on fertility control. Bibliogr., sum.