KNOWLEDGE, WILLINGNESS AND ACCEPTABILITY OF THE USE OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY AMONG INFERTILE WOMEN ATTENDING ADEOYO MATERNITY HOSPITAL, IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Several reports indicate that infertility is the most frequent reason for gynaecological consultation in Nigeria. Medical advances have shown that most cases of infertility are treatable. All kinds of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) have been introduced to eliminate infertility problems. There is death information on the knowledge and willingness of women towards the use of ART. This study therefore investigated the knowledge, acceptability and willingness of the use of assisted reproductive technology among infertile women attending Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Ibadan. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 consenting infertile women aged between 22-48 years attending the gynaecological clinic of Adeoyo Maternity Hospital. Respondents were selected through a systematic sampling method from the clinic records and the weekly appointment register in the gynecological clinic which was obtained from the staff. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire with six (6) sections and items was used to elicit information from the participants. Knowledge was measured on an 8- point scale; score ≥4 was classified as good, ≥ 2.5- 4 as fair and < 2 as poor. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test at p value 0.05 level of significance. The mean ages of the respondent were 34.9 ± 5.5 years. 56% of respondents are within the ages of 31 - 40 years old and 15.5% were between the age group of 41 - 48 years old. Most of the respondents were Christians (66%) and 71% were Yorubas. Forty three percent were more willing to use IVF and 5.5% were likely to use gestational surrogacy. Factors identified by respondents for the non-uptake of ART included cost of procuring ART, religious beliefs, husband’s permission, fear of side effect, risk and the family’s permission to use ART. Religion had the major influence (92.5%) for non-uptake of ART. Overall level of knowledge of ART as a way to manage infertility was determined good with a mean score of 4.5 ±1.5 as 63.7% of respondents having good knowledge of ART as a way to manage infertility, 9.5% of the respondents had fair knowledge and 36.5 % poor knowledge. This study established a good level of knowledge of ART as a way to manage infertility however, details of some of the procedure were not well known to the women attending this clinic. Years of experience of infertility was found to be significant towards willingness and acceptability to make use of ART services. Based on the findings it is recommended that an educational intervention aimed at educating women on the benefits of different Assisted Reproductive Technology methods should be implemented at different religious institutions highlighting the success rate and risk involved to allow women make a better-informed decision.