Awareness and Perception of Assisted Reproductive Techniques among Women Attending Infertility Clinic in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Infertility is more prevalent in resource poor settings like ours’, owing to about 50% of couples being affected. Its impact has lead to social, psychological and economic challenges especially to the female partner who is always blamed. Assisted reproductive technique is the last resort for most couples with damaged tubes with significant results. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the level of awareness and perception of assisted reproductive technique among women.    Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study that involved three hundred and fifty women attending infertility clinic at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, They were recruited using convenience sampling method. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain relevant information. The data obtained was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS ) version 20. Results: The age range of the participants was 14- 58 years. The mean age was 28.59 ±6.656 and the modal age group was 25-35 yeas (58.0%). Majority (53.14%) had secondary infertility and 43.8% were not aware of the cause for their infertility. Up to 65.71% were aware of assisted reproductive technique (ART). There was statistically significant association between educational status and awareness of ART (P- value < 0.001). More than half of the respondents (56.5%) believed that such babies were normal and natural. Conclusion: The awareness of assisted reproductive technique is relatively high in our environment. Majority believed that ART babies are normal and natural.