Factors Affecting the Willingness to Take Up IVF among Infertile Women

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. It is a source of distress for couples as societal norms may equate infertility with a failure on a personal, interpersonal, emotional, or social level. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a method of assisted reproduction and may be the only option for couples who cannot have children through natural biological means. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among infertile women attending the gynecological clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study in design where 203 participants were recruited using a systematic sampling technique. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered, pretested, semi-structured questionnaire, and was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. Results: This study showed over 70% of the respondents and their husbands were willing to take up IVF as a treatment option if the need arises. However, the reason for not being willing to take up IVF in more than 50% of the participants was because it was expensive. Conclusion: This study concludes that the majority of the respondents in this study were willing to take up IVF (71.4%) when the need arises as a treatment option. However, the major drawback to the uptake of IVF was cost and religion.