Determinants of Utilization of Assisted Reproductive Technology services in Ilorin, Nigeria
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Date
2017
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, India
Abstract
Background: Infertility is the most important reproductive health and social issue confronting married couples in
developing countries. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) offer a chance at parenthood to couples, who until
recently would have had no hope of having a “biologically related” child. Aims and Objectives: This study aimed
at determining the factors influencing the utilization of ART services at a public health facility in Ilorin, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: A cross‑sectional descriptive study of consecutively consenting infertile couples seen at the
ART unit of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, between
January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2015. Results: The patients aged 22–52 years with a mean age of 36.1 ± 6.6 years and
mean duration of infertility of 7.3 ± 5.8 years. Majority (87.3%) was aware of ART services; only a few (15.6%) had ever
used it. Most (63.3%) were of the opinion that ART is financially accessible. Reasons for nonutilization of ART were
high cost (44.3%) and nonavailability (29.4%). Measures to enhance the utilization of ART were cost reduction (61.2%)
and awareness creation (27.2%). Knowledge on ART practices showed that 56.7% were aware that the procedure could
fail and 35.1% knew that it could address male infertility. Female partner age and parity had a significant influence
on awareness and utilization of ART services. Conclusion: Awareness of ART services is high; however, utilization is
abysmally low. Efforts should be made to make the procedure more affordable and accessible to the masses.
Description
Keywords
assisted reproductive technology, awareness, Nigeria, Utilization