Knowledge, Attitude and Perception of Assisted Reproductive Technology Among Patients Attending Health Clinics at Babcock University Teaching Hospital Ilishan-Remo Ogun State

Abstract

Female infertility was reported to account for about 55% of infertility cases, male factor accounted for about 30% to 40% of infertility cases and unexplained infertility accounted for the remaining 5 percent to 15 percent of cases. In Africa, infections resulting in tubo-peritoneal factor and oligo-azoospermia (low sperm count) are the most common causes of infertility. Infertility is widespread in Sub-Saharan Africa ranging from 13–17 in most countries with pockets of high prevalence at 32%. The general objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception of Assisted Reproductive Technology among patients attending health clinics within the prevailing fragile health infrastructure in Nigeria. The aims of study, therefore, are to assess the knowledge of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) among patients attending BUTH health clinics, to ascertain the attitudes of BUTH patients towards ART as a treatment method for infertility, and to ascertain the perception of ART among patients attending clinics at BUTH. It was observed that the overall level of awareness in this study was high but with a fair knowledge level that can be attributed to the rise in social media use. Both men and women were able to correctly describe the major causes of infertility. Most importantly was the visible change in narrative against the previous belief of ART being majorly for female causes of infertility to both male and female causes. However, many participants had a negative attitude towards the use of ART and gamete donation. These findings have implications for the planning and implementation of infertility-related programmes that will help to tackle inherent challenges undermining the full utilization of ART services in Nigeria.