Abstract
BackgroundIn Indonesia infertility affects 10–15% of reproductive-age couples. In addition to medical problem, infertility in Indonesia poses significant social problem. Childlessness is often stigmatized as a failure which victimizes couples, moreover the females. Despite the high prevalence, there is no fertility awareness education which further passes down the common myth, misperception, and negative attitude towards infertility treatment in Indonesian society.ObjectiveThis study aims to reveal the knowledge, myth, and attitude towards infertility, likewise acceptance towards infertility treatment options.MethodCross-sectional study using standardized questionnaire was done to 272 individuals consisted of two parallel groups: Jakarta and Sumba representing urban and rural population respectively. Participants were all outpatients above 18 years old who visited the healthcare centers from February 2017 to June 2017.ResultsKnowledge on biological and lifestyle risk factors of infertility among Jakarta and Sumba groups were comparable. However, belief in supernatural causes of infertility is remarkable in Sumba population. There is a common misconception on the use of contraception as risk factors of infertility in both groups.Half respondents from both groups think infertility is a disease. In Jakarta 93.4% respondents consider both female and male should be investigated for infertility; in Sumba only 55.4% agree while 33.1% consider only female should be investigated. Infertility is an acceptable reason for polygamy for 41.3% respondents in Sumba, with 34.7% blaming maternal side for childlessness.Most respondents from both groups accept the use of Assisted Reproductive Technology and fertility enhancing drugs as treatment options.ConclusionLack of understanding, misleading myths, and negative attitude towards infertility have been illustrated in the sample population.
Highlights
In Indonesia infertility affects 10–15% of reproductive-age couples
In Jakarta 93.4% respondents consider both female and male should be investigated for infertility; in Sumba only 55.4% agree while 33.1% consider only female should be investigated
Most respondents from both groups accept the use of Assisted Reproductive Technology and fertility enhancing drugs as treatment options
Summary
In Indonesia infertility affects 10–15% of reproductive-age couples. In addition to medical problem, infertility in Indonesia poses significant social problem. There is no fertility awareness education which further passes down the common myth, misperception, and negative attitude towards infertility treatment in Indonesian society. Medical professionals deem intervention is necessary towards infertile couple due to high burden it causes towards infertile couples, especially for women. Secondary infertility is the condition where a couple has conceived previously but became unable . Infertility is prevalent, affecting 80 million couples of reproductive age worldwide. In Indonesia, the number translates to 21.3% of couples, affecting roughly one in every couple [2]. 90% of infertility cases have an identifiable cause and half will result in pregnancy given the proper treatment [3]
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