In-Vitro Fertilization: Awareness and perception among infertile women at the Jos University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of infertility is high in the developing world, sub-Saharan Africa inclusive with its attendant medical and social consequences. Tubal factor and male factor are responsible for the majority of cases of infertility in this environment. In-Vitro fertilization (IVF) is the treatment of choice for these cases. Though the services are available in some parts of the country including Jos, the uptake appears to be low. We sought to assess the awareness and willingness to accept IVF services among infertile women in
Jos University Teaching Hospital.

Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study involving 149 patients from the Gynaecological clinic of the Jos University Teaching Hospital was carried out. Data were obtained using a pretested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 30+6 years. Only 45.6% had heard about IVF. The information they had on IVF was inaccurate in 52.9% of respondents. The majority (77.9%) of the respondents had no idea of the success rate of IVF but believed the process guaranteed pregnancy. Most respondents (74.5%) preferred to have multiple pregnancies if given a choice, however, the majority (72.7%) were unaware of the complications associated with multiple pregnancies.

Conclusion: Efforts to improve the awareness about IVF should be adopted to increase the uptake of the IVF services.

Keywords: IVF, awareness of IVF, infertility, Nigeria