Beliefs about children and the psychosocial implications of infertility on individuals seeking assisted fertilization in Ghana

Abstract

Infertility presents challenges to individuals and couples, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to docu ment beliefs about childbearing/children and the psychosocial implications of infertility in individuals seeking assisted fertilization in the Ghanaian context. The study had an exploratory descriptive qualitative design. Six males and 12 females were recruited pur posefully from five private fertility centres in the Greater Accra Region. Face-to-face interviews were performed. In Ghanaian soci ety, couples and individuals with infertility who are seeking assisted fertilization consider having biological children to be important. The quest to have children was broadly centred on the associated benefits of being a parent, including societal recognition, the role of family inheritance, and support. The inability of participants to have biological children was found to have a negative effect on their psychological and social well-being. Anxiety, worry, hopelessness, stigma and suicidal ideations were some of the effects iden tified. It is recommended that those seeking assisted fertilization should be supported through counselling to minimize the potential negative effects of childlessness