Knowledge and Attitude of Infertile Women towards Child Adoption as Infertility Management in South-Western, Nigeria

Abstract

Infertility is a major societal problem with public health importance in developing countries and child adoption provides an alternative for infertile women to have children but misconceptions, myths and misinformation surrounding child adoption hinders infertile couple from adopting a child. This study was a cross sectional qualitative research carried out to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of infertile women towards child adoption as infertility management among 20 infertile women attending gynecology clinic in a government owned hospital in Southwest Nigeria. Respondents were purposively selected and data was collected with the aid of in-depth interview guide. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Obstacles of child adoption include psychological dissatisfaction and negative reaction of husbands and family members. Husbands’ reaction includes preference for biological children and marrying of second wives. Child adoption was psychologically dissatisfying to participants with some suggesting that it will make no difference and that step is a sign of acceptance of defeat in the quest to have biological children. Family dynamics found to hinder the practice of child adoption includes high value for blood relations, blaming of the woman, unpredictable family influence, discrimination against the adopted child, and family not allowing the adopted child to inherit property. To improve attitude and acceptability there is the need for community-wide sensitization programme targeting dispelling of myths and misconceptions and highlighting the benefits of child adoption among key stakeholders.