Knowledge, Perception, and Acceptance of Assisted Reproductive Technology Among Women Attending an Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Infertility is an important reproductive-health concern with substantial social and economic consequences, while access to assisted reproductive technology (ART) remains uneven in many low- and middle-income settings. This study assessed awareness, knowledge, perceptions, acceptance, and perceived barriers related to ART among women attending an obstetrics and gynaecology clinic in southeastern Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. The intended sample size was 384, calculated using Cochran's formula; the final analytic sample comprised 364 women. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire informed by the Health Belief Model and Theory of Planned Behaviour. Results were summarized using frequencies and percentages, with item-specific denominators reported where responses were incomplete and multiple-response items identified explicitly. Results: Among 324 women with a recorded response to the awareness item, 300 (92.6%) had heard of ART. The retained composite classification indicated that 78% had good knowledge, although a prominent misconception remained: 272 of 364 respondents (74.8%) incorrectly believed that ART always guarantees success. Perceptions were generally favourable; 320 (88.0%) agreed or strongly agreed that ART is socially acceptable, and 344 (94.5%) agreed or strongly agreed that it gives hope to couples experiencing infertility. Among 348 women with a recorded acceptance response, 272 (78.2%) reported personal acceptance of ART. High cost was the most frequently identified system-level challenge (272/364, 74.7%). Conclusion: In this tertiary-care sample, awareness and favourable attitudes toward ART were common, but important knowledge gaps and financial barriers remained. Patient counselling should emphasize realistic treatment outcomes and procedure-specific information, while affordability and access require health-system attention.