Abstract
Purpose
This study aims at investigating the perspectives of Jordanian medical and paramedical students on surrogate pregnancy.
Methods
A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study design was used. The sample consisted of n=328 students of both genders. The questionnaire responses were numerically coded and analyzed across gender and the level of education.
Results
Approximately, 18% of the students reported good awareness about the ethical dilemmas of surrogacy. The results showed a general reluctance to accept surrogate pregnancy as the majority (80.5% of male students and 97.6% of female students) had a negative attitude toward surrogacy. In addition, undergraduate students were less supportive to surrogate pregnancy than graduate students. Religious considerations were the main reason (accounts for about 70%) for driving negative attitude toward surrogacy.
Conclusion
The findings of the study indicate a general reluctance toward accepting the concept of surrogate pregnancy, which is mainly due to religious reasons.
Acknowledgments
The study was supported by grant # 5R25TW010026-02 from the Fogarty International Center of the US National Institutes of Health.
Author contributions
AGM, KHA, OFK, and MAA designed the study tool and procedure. AGM and OFK carried out data collection. AGM and KHA analyzed the results of the study. AGM, KHA, OFK, and MAA interpreted the study results. AGM, KHA, OFK, and MAA drafted the manuscript. All authors contributed toward data analysis, drafting and critically revising the paper and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.