INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL-CULTURAL FACTORS ON THE ACCEPTABILITY OF INVITRO-FERTILIZATION AMONG WOMEN IN OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

There is high rate of infertility in Nigeria, but solution to the problem is adversely affected by socio-cultural factors. Although there are many treatment options for infertility, recently global focus is on in-vitro-fertilization. However, the use of in-vitro-fertilization (IVF) tend to be affected by socio-cultural factors in Edo state giving rise to unmet needs for biotechnology in the treatment of infertility in the area. This study thus investigates the factors influencing the acceptability of IVF among women in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State. The study employs a cross-sectional survey design. The sample size was 410 women aged 25 years and above who was selected using multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a wellstructured questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics after the data has been captured into the IBM Statistical Package for Socio Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0 software. The result shows that about 13.2% had good knowledge. While 68% had poor knowledge and 18.8% had fair knowledge. 62% thinks that this is too expensive, 48% feels that it is not religiously morally acceptable. Financial restriction was seen as the major factor influencing the acceptability of IVF and subsidizing the payment rate will procure more accessibility by those with infertility issues. The study however also showed that there is no significant relationship between the influence of socio cultural factors and the acceptability of IVF. Based on the findings of this research, the study thus recommends more awareness of invitro-fertilization in hospitals, health centres, and institutions to enhance its knowledge and usage among women especially those with primary or secondary infertility. Government should also subsidize the payment rate to provide a better response for those who are no financially buoyant. Keywords: Acceptability, Assisted Reproductive Technology, Influence, Invitrofertilization, Sexual Reproduction, Socio-cultural factors