Sociocultural Implications of Infertility and Challenges in Accessing Assisted Reproductive Technology: Experiences of Couples from Two Health Facilities in Southern Ghana
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Group
Abstract
Introduction: In most traditional societies in Ghana, infertility
is unacceptable and every couple is expected to conceive children by any means. This study explores the sociocultural
implications of infertility in Ghana and the challenges couples
encounter in accessing assisted reproductive technology.
Methods: The study used a qualitative descriptive design in
two health facilities in an urban community in Southern
Ghana. The study recruited 20 participants: 16 individuals who
had accessed assisted reproductive technology, two nurses
and two gynecologists. Participants were purposely selected
and data were analyzed thematically.
Results: Culturally, couples who are unable to give birth are
considered witches, discriminated against in decision making
and are believed to be rejected by the ancestral world when
they die. It was found that these sociocultural implications of
infertility compelled couples to access assisted reproductive technologies and were faced with social challenges, psychological
implications, economic constraints, and medical complications.
Conclusions: Children born through assisted reproductive
technologies are not accepted by some sections of the society
despite the challenges couples encounter in accessing these
technologies. Public sensitization should be intensified in
Ghana to accept the use of assisted reproductive technologies
to limit stigmatization of couples with fertility problems and
children born through assisted reproductive technology.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
assisted reproductive technology, infertility, couples, childbirth