Exploring The Psycho-emotional Experiences of Women With Infertility In Urban Ghana: A Qualitative Study.

Abstract BackgroundApproximately 20–40% of couples in Sub-Saharan Africa suffer infertility. Infertility is best understood as a socially constructed process where the affected couples define their inability to have children as a problem, its nature and then construct an appropriate course of action. Infertility is often associated with psychological distress among affected couples. The Ghanaian society places high values on childbearing, making infertility a major social problem for the affected women. This subject has limited qualitative data in Ghana.ObjectiveTo explore experiences of women in Ashanti region of Ghana regarding infertility and its effect on daily living.MethodA qualitative study utilizing content analysis approach. Purposive sampling of 18 women with infertility who sought infertility treatment as referral cases in Kumasi, Ashanti Region were selected for a semi-structured in-depth interview after giving informed consent.ResultsFour main themes emerged as participants’ perception of infertility and its consequences on their daily lives. These include: “abuse”, “marital instability”, “social isolation”, and “loss of self-esteem.” The most predominant theme was “loss of self-esteem”. Infertility was found to influences both psychological and social well-being of women.ConclusionInfertility imposes significant impairment on the emotional, psychological and social well-being of women in Ghana. These include: isolation, abuse, loss of self-esteem, and marital instability.What is already known? infertility may impose psychological distress on affected couples.What did study adds: This study reveals the extent to which infertility-related distress affects the daily living experience of women in Sub-Saharan Africa, including physical abuse.How this study might affect research, practice, or policy: The severity of the psycho-emotional burden of infertility is worse on women and could be mitigated if treatment costs are subsidized.