Infertility treatment decision-making in Ghana and contestations that may arise: a prospective sociological study

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to explore contestations within infertile couples seeking infertility therapy in a sub-Saharan society. Their views regarding infertility treatment were explored, including their arguments for or against different treatment options. The effects of the contributions of the various partners were analyzed. Material and methods: Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with people seeking infertility treatment at 3 different fertility clinics in Accra, Ghana. Participants were restricted to 45 persons from married heterosexual couples, with 15 respondents (5 male and 10 female) from each setting. Respondents were asked questions relating to the decision-making process toward seeking treatment and the reactions of their partners. Results: Contestations tended to relate to 5 main themes: the cause of the infertility and who was to blame; male apathy; reluctance to provide semen samples for evaluation; an absentee husband due to work pressure; and finance relating to the cost of infertility treatment. Discussion: This is the first study to highlight the contestations that arise between couples regarding their decision-making about alleviating their infertility via 3 different types of fertility clinics in Accra, Ghana. It is apparent that globalization and changing norms of family life have to a large extent, accounted for the changing ideas and practices surrounding infertility in urban Ghana.