ATTITUDES TOWARDS EMBRYO ADOPTION AMONG INFERTILE COUPLES ATTENDING SELECTED HEALTH FACILITIES IN SOUTHEAST, NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: Challenges associated with infertility have given rise to different forms of assisted reproductive technology (ART) to overcome infertility. Today, one of the ways ART is practiced is through embryo adoption. The mission of this reproductive technique is to offer individuals seeking to achieve parenthood additional choices to help them achieve their dream of reproduction. Whenperforming in-vitro fertilization (IVF), the attitude of individuals play a critical role in shaping their decisions and actions in all spheres of life in Nigeria, including to use or not to use excess embryos from other infertile couples for reproduction. Attitudes to embryo adoption seems to be split between acceptance, reservation, and in some instances, outright rejection. Consequently, there is anunmet need for affected individuals of reproductive age that may require embryo adoption to achieve pregnancy. Until this paucity is addressed, infertility will likely remain a grave social burden to some Nigerian infertile couples especially women. Thus, the present study evaluated attitudes towards embryo adoption among infertile couples attending selected health facilities in Southeast, Nigeria.Theoretical framework: Theory of planned behavior which opined that sociocultural factors that surround reproductive donation could influence attitudes towards embryo adoption was adopted as the theoretical frame work for the study. Methods: A questionnaire regarding attitudes towards embryo adoption was given to a total sample of 613 infertile couples attending selected health facilities inSoutheast, Nigeria. Results: In the overall analysis, the attitudes towards embryo adoption was negative due to some socio-demographic factors. A majority of the male and female respondents (83.03%) were only comfortable adopting embryo from a healthy anonymous stranger and carried by them in the case of women or their spouse in the case of men. A total of 99.7% agreed that they are very negatively predisposed to embryo adoption from known donor and carried by a surrogate. Approximately (81%) were very negatively predisposed to embryo adoption from a healthy stranger and carried by a surrogate. Approximately ninety-eight per cent of the respondents agreed that the genetic origin should be anonymous to the conceived child while 100% indicated that the surrogate should remain anonymous to the conceived child. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicates embracing supportive attitudes towards promoting the use of embryo adoption so as to circumvent infertility and improve reproductive health in Nigeria. Therefore, vigorous enlightenment, sensitization and cultural reorientation need to be mounted. Also, there is the need for policy directions and regulations to guide the practice in Nigeria.