ATTITUDE AND WILLINGNESS OF INFERTILE PERSONS TOWARDS THE UPTAKE OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Abstract

Infertility is one of the important reproductive health concerns among couples in Nigeria. Many have tried and waited on usual medical routine for infertility treatment with little or no success. One of the strategies to overcome this health challenge is the adoption of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) which seems alien to our culture. This study therefore seeks to investigate attitude and willingness of infertile couples in Ibadan North Local Government Area (IBNLGA) towards uptake of ART. The study was a descriptive survey. A three-stage sampling technique was used to select 202 married persons attending fertility clinic at the Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Ibadan. Data was collected through a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Attitude was measured on a 9-point attitudinal scale; scores of 0-4 and 5-9 were categorised as negative and positive respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square test) at p=0.05. Respondents’ age was 34.3 ± 6.5 years, 88.6% were female and 98.5% were married. More than half (54.5%) had primary infertility. Less than half (46.5%) respondents have heard of ART. Positive attitude of respondents towards the uptake of assisted reproductive technology was relatively high: 48.0%; Negative attitude was found to be 52.0%. Eighty five (42.1%) were willing to make use of ART. Among those who indicated willingness to uptake ART, preference was given to In-Vitro Fertilization, Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer, Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection and Gestational Surrogacy (80.0%, 50.6%, 45.8% and 10.6% respectively). A few respondents, 10.4%, indicated their interest to accept donated sperm, accept donated reproductive egg (9.9%) and willing to donate reproductive egg/sperm for others (24.2%). High cost (41.6%), lack of interest (37.1%), personal believe (19.8%), perception of babies from ART outcome (19.3%), fear of risks and side effects (15.8%) were identified as factors influencing respondents’ willingness to uptake the service. Only a few, 7.4%, were willing to uptake the services without any constriction. Sex and years of experience of secondary infertility were found to be significant with attitude. Attitude was also found to be significant to willingness towards the uptake of ART and was also found to be significant to willingness to donate reproductive egg/sperm and years of experience of secondary infertility. From logistic analysis, female respondents are 3.5 times more likely to have positive attitude than male, while those who have been waiting within a year are 5 times less likely to have Positive attitude towards the uptake of ART. Majority had negative attitude towards assisted reproductive technologies and only a few are willing to uptake this service. Health education strategies such as public enlightenment, female child education, mediation, advocacy and enabling environments will be useful in addressing this gap.