Quality of infertility care in poor-resource areas and the introduction of new reproductive technologies.
The quality of infertility care is dependent upon adequate material resources and the appropriate use of it. In addition, a mutual understanding between physicians and patients is necessary. These imperatives are more salient in the era of the new reproductive technologies. However, in poor-resource areas these imperatives are insufficiently met. Moreover, in developing countries the negative consequences of childlessness are much stronger than in Western societies. Until recently, the problem of infertility in Third World countries has received little public attention. A plea is made for a stronger policy interest in Third World infertility care. In this it is important to focus on prevention, appropriate diagnosis and treatment at primary and secondary health-care level and to take the existing cultural beliefs into account.
van Balen
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Department of Education, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94208 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. vanbalen@educ.uva.nl
Gerrits
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T
D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011640:Public Policy; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012099:Reproductive Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D012931:Social Environment