In-Vitro Fertilization Practice: Awareness and Perceptions AmongWomen Attending Fertility Clinics in Okija, Anambra State, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: In-vitro fertilization(IVF) is a procedure that is one of the options in managing infertility. It involves fertilizing the egg from the female with the spermatozoa from the male outside the human body. It is a common practice in the developed world. However it is still a new phenomenon in the developing countries. This is due to the level of awareness and acceptability, worsened by cost which is still beyond the reach of the poor masses in the developing countries. AIM: To assess the level of awareness andperceptions of invitro fertilization among women attending fertility clinics in Okija, Ihiala local Government area of Anambra State, Nigeria. METHODS: The study is a cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of 500 women attending fertility clinics in Okija were recruited using systematic sampling technique. Data were collected using pre-tested, structured, interviewer administered questionnaire and analyzed manually. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 30 years. The mean duration of infertility was 11 years. Secondary infertility was more common (66%) than primary infertility (34%).Only 37.6%of the respondentswere aware of in-vitro fertilization. Only 37.2% of those that that aware accepted to undergo IVF procedure. 79.7% of those who rejected IVF claimed that the babies are abnormal, while 12.7% of believedthat the cost is high. CONCLUSION: There is need to put in efforts in spreading the knowledge of in-vitro fertilization in developing countries like Nigeria. Efforts should be made to make the procedure more affordable and accessible to the masses.