Navigating Culture and Faith in Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Qualitative Exploration

Abstract

Objective: To assess the cultural and religious beliefs about Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in the Greater Accra of Ghana. This is because ARTs are on the rise globally, yet barriers to access, including cost and limited centers, are well-documented. Culture and religion's impact on ART acceptance, especially in Africa, is understudied. Methods: This study utilized a qualitative approach with an interpretative descriptive design, employing purposive sampling to select 15 male and female participants. Face-to-face, in-depth interviews were conducted, audiorecorded, and subsequently transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: The data analysis yielded three main themes and 12 subthemes. The study discovered that participants displayed a good understanding of assisted reproductive therapy, accurately defining these techniques and recognizing certain complications associated with ART. However, their grasp of ART ethics was limited, and their utilization of ART was notably influenced by religious and cultural beliefs. Conclusion and discussion: Despite the high awareness, they were faced with some challenges regarding ART usage including difficulty getting a surrogate mother, high cost of ART services, stigmatization, and fear of contracting HIV. Future studies should therefore focus on addressing these barriers to increase uptake of ART among men and women with infertility.