Beyond Childlessness: A Qualitative Exploration Of The Psychosocial Impact Of Infertility Among Women In Southern Ghana

Abstract

Objective Pregnancy and childbearing immediately after marriage are often viewed as an indication of womanhood and parenthood within the African context. This study explored the psychosocial impacts of infertility among women in Southern Ghana, seeking to answer the research question: ‘How do women in Southern Ghana experience the psychosocial impacts of infertility?’ Design A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was employed. Data were collected at a designated hospital using a semi- structured interview guide. ,1,3 Samuel Kwabena Ansong- Aggrey,4 STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDY ⇒ Provides rich, in- depth understanding of women’s lived psychosocial experiences. ⇒ Captures cultural and contextual meanings of infer tility within Southern Ghana. ⇒ Findings may have limited transferability beyond the study setting or population. ⇒ Findings are specific to women with infertility in Southern Ghana and may not reflect experiences across other cultural and geographical contexts. ⇒ Researcher interpretation may introduce subjectivity despite efforts to ensure rigour. (LMICs) record the highest rates of infertility, often with devastating consequences.1 4–6 In these settings, infertility carries devastating consequences, underscoring its relevance to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, which emphasises health and well- being for all.1 Settings and participants The study was conducted in the obstetrics and gynaecology outpatient department of one of the public district hospitals in the Weija- Gbawe subdistrict in Ghana, where 20 women diagnosed with either primary or secondary infertility were interviewed for 45 min to 1 hour each. With all participants completing the study, interviews were audiotaped with consent, transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. Results The findings indicate that women experiencing infertility faced multiple psychosocial challenges, including depression, anxiety, reduced sexual desire, stigma, marital instability and deliberate social isolation. Conclusion Infertility significantly compromises women’s psychosocial well- being, leading to pervasive negative experiences across social and personal contexts. These challenges adversely affect quality of life and overall well- being, with potential implications for their reproductive outcomes.