Abstract

Marital unfaithfulness is a major contributor to sexually transmitted infections in both sexes; however, societal view of the menace seems to use various lenses for the different sexes. Globally, evidence suggests that marital infidelity has existed in history. In Africa, as well as in Western society, infidelity is a problem facing many families and accounts for high incidence of divorce. This narrative review described and synthesized literature on marital infidelity and its association with sexually transmitted infections. We conducted informal interviews with married women on their experiences with marital infidelity in Nigeria. Associated physical, social and psychological cultured imposed consequences were experienced by women in Nigeria. The recurrent themes felt helplessness, enduring physical, emotional and psychological torture, accepting fate with reservation and being strangers in marital union. This narrative review could initiate critical thoughts and discussions on the factors in skewed marital unfaithful and the contribution to reproductive health and family life.

Key words: Malady, marital infidelity, sexually transmitted infections, skewed-marital unfaithfulness, women reproductive health.