2285 ATTITUDES TOWARDS ADOPTION AMONG MALES SEEKING FERTILITY TREATMENT

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyInfertility: Therapy1 Apr 20112285 ATTITUDES TOWARDS ADOPTION AMONG MALES SEEKING FERTILITY TREATMENT Kuwong Mwamukonda, James Smith, Susan Millstein, Robert Nachtigall, and Patricia Katz Kuwong MwamukondaKuwong Mwamukonda San Antonio, TX More articles by this author , James SmithJames Smith San Francisco, CA More articles by this author , Susan MillsteinSusan Millstein San Francisco, CA More articles by this author , Robert NachtigallRobert Nachtigall San Francisco, CA More articles by this author , and Patricia KatzPatricia Katz San Francisco, CA More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2011.02.2529AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples in the United States, with a male factor present in 40%. Significantly more men than women have adopted children in their lifetime, as more men than women adopt the prior children of their spouses, and male homosexual couples are primarily dependent upon adoption for parenthood. Despite this fact, most studies have evaluated adoption-related attitudes only among women. This study examined male attitudes towards adoption compared to female in the baseline evaluation of a prospective cohort of couples presenting for infertility treatment. METHODS The infertility cohort was comprised of men and women from eight community and academic reproductive endocrinology clinics. Attitudes regarding adoption were obtained from a series of questions included in the enrollment questionnaire. Responses were on a scale of 0–10 signifying “definitely would not” to “definitely would”. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics were determined by self report. Fertility history and diagnosis were obtained from the medical record. RESULTS Adoption questions were completed by 762 participants. Mean male age was 36.9±5.5 years, with a female age of 35.7±4.8 years. Among this cohort, 74% were white, 70% college-educated, with a yearly income of <$100,000 in 65%. A male factor was identified in 37.8% of couples. Men were significantly less worried than women that the birthmother (BM) would want the child back (p<0.001). They were also 50% less likely to know someone who started to adopt a child before having the BM change her mind (RR 0.49, p<0.001). Men were less worried about the expense of adoption (p<0.001), the emotional stress of the process (p<0.001); less concerned about adoption causing others to be aware of their infertility (p<0.001), to make judgments about their parenting (p=0.009), or to have a claim to their child (p<0.001). Men were more likely than women to believe that adoption would result in them becoming parents (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS Men's perspectives on adoption differ significantly from women's across a wide range of attitudes towards adoption. These data will help inform physicians involved in counseling infertile males regarding their treatment options. As men were generally more accepting of adoption, specific information describing adoption-related services could be provided at an earlier stage in the treatment process. © 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 185Issue 4SApril 2011Page: e916 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Kuwong Mwamukonda San Antonio, TX More articles by this author James Smith San Francisco, CA More articles by this author Susan Millstein San Francisco, CA More articles by this author Robert Nachtigall San Francisco, CA More articles by this author Patricia Katz San Francisco, CA More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...