A Survey of knowledge and perception of surrogacy among health care providers in selected institutions in Ilorin
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Date
2025-04-05
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin.
Abstract
Background: Surrogacy is a type of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) whereby a third party carry a
pregnancy on behalf of another couple, delivers a baby and hands the child to the commissioning parents at
birth. Surrogacy is becoming increasingly popular in developed countries with a well-structured legislation
and laws. However, surrogacy is a relatively new practice in Nigeria and no legislation are guiding any form
of ART in Nigeria. This study aimed to assess the awareness, knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of health
workers toward surrogacy.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of Health workers in University of Ilorin Teaching
Hospital (UITH) and University of Ilorin Health Centre. A self administered questionnaire was used to obtain
information on the knowledge of surrogacy, perception and attitudes toward surrogacy. Data was analysed using
SPSS version 20. A total of 402 health workers of various categories participated in this study
Results: Majority (85.5 %) of respondents had previous knowledge of surrogacy with the commonest source of
information being the health facility (33.3%). Less than 20% of the respondents had previously seen a baby born
through surrogacy. About two-thirds of respondents (66.7%) opined that the intended mother should be the legal
mother of the child in full surrogacy, while 54 % supported the intended mother being the legal mother in partial
surrogacy. Majority of respondents (79.4%) opined that the intended father should be the legal father of the child.
Knowledge and awareness of surrogacy among the respondents was high.
Conclusion/Recommendations: There is high level of awareness and knowledge of surrogacy among the
respondents. The high level of knowledge and awareness did not reflect in the attitudes and perception toward
surrogacy. There is also low acceptability of surrogacy as a means of assisted reproductive therapy among our
respondents.
Description
Keywords
Surrogacy, Knowledge, Perception, commissioning parents
Citation
1. Gwadabe, S.M., Olarinoye, A.O., Omokanye, L.O., Raji, H.O., Adesina, K.T., Musa, M.A., Ibrahim, A., Abdulmussawir A.O., Ijaiya, M. & Suleiman S.T. (2025). A Survey of Knowledge and Perception of Surrogacy among Health Care Providers in Selected Institutions in Ilorin. Tropical Journal of Health Sciences, 32(2), 19-24. Published by College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin. Available online