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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Infertility and childlessness: A qualitative study of the experiences of infertile couples in Northern Ghana
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, Volume 13, Article 72, Year 2013
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Description
Background: Infertility is a global reproductive health issue that affects many individuals and couples. Despite the high prevalence of infertility in Ghana, no study has been done on the experiences of infertile couples in Northern Ghana. This study therefore explored the experiences of infertile couples in Northern Ghana using the Upper West Region as a case study.Methods: We interviewed fifteen childless couples, forty-five couples with children, and eight key informants using a semi-structured interview guide. We also carried out three focus group discussions; one for childless women, one for women with children and one for men with children. The data were transcribed, coded, arranged and analyzed for categories and themes.Results: Infertile couples are socially stigmatised and excluded from leadership roles in their communities. Couples without children are denied membership in the ancestral world thereby losing the opportunity to live again. Both males and females are engaged in sex with multiple partners to prove their fertility.Conclusions: Both men and women suffer from the social effects of childlessness. The desire to have biological children in a pronatalist society results in unhealthy practices. Health policy makers and gender advocates should be more concerned about infertility. © 2013 Tabong and Adongo; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Tabong, Philip Teg Nefaah
Ghana, Accra
Ghana Health Service
Adongo, P. B.
Ghana, Accra
University of Ghana
Statistics
Citations: 133
Authors: 2
Affiliations: 2
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1186/1471-2393-13-72
e-ISSN:
14712393
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Maternal And Child Health
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Case Study
Study Approach
Qualitative
Study Locations
Ghana
Participants Gender
Male
Female