The understanding and acceptability of assisted reproductive technology (ART) among infertile women in urban Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

This descriptive study was carried out to assess the awareness and acceptability of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) among infertile women in Lagos, Nigeria. Self-administered questionnaires on the knowledge of ART in the women were used. After a brief exposé on ART, questions relating to their attitude were answered. A total of 166 women were studied. Only 51.8% had any knowledge of ART and most of these had poor knowledge. A total of 137 women would embrace ART if offered but 29 would not, for reasons such as religion, fear of side-effects, failure and unaffordable costs. There is a paucity of good knowledge of ART. A significant number of the women would consider ART if offered. There is thus a need to create more awareness about the possibilities offered by ART, as well as instituting low cost ART strategies in developing world countries.

Keywords::

• Assisted conception
• Ikeja
• infertility
• knowledge
• male factor

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge and thank Professor B. O. Osinusi, the Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria at the time the study was carried out. We also thank the Chief Matron in charge of the Gynaecology Clinic for her cooperation. In addition, we acknowledge the roles of Nursing Sister Funke Okedele, who administered the questionnaires and Mr Opawale, who carried out the statistical analysis.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

The authors wish to state that it did not receive any financial support for this work. It was solely funded by personal contributions of the authors. There is no potential conflict of interest. There is also no scientific writing assistance whatsoever from an agency or freelance writer.