title: Perception of infertility and acceptability of assisted reproduction technology in northern Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infertility is a stigmatized reproductive morbidity with severe psycho-social consequences, especially in developing countries. There has been little exploration of the public view of infertility and acceptance of assisted reproduction in these countries, including Nigeria.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the public perception of infertility, its causes and factors associated with acceptability of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) in Kano, Northern Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using interviewer administered questionnaires, a cross-section of 600 adults were interviewed about perceived definition, causes and acceptance of ART.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Majority of the respondents (n = 577, 99.3%) perceived infertility as a disease. Only 18.1% (n = 105) of the respondents would consider a couple infertile after one year of marriage. Causes of infertility mentioned by participants included paranormal events (n = 535, 92.1%), suprapubic pain (n = 321, 55.2%), induced abortion (n = 187, 32.2%) and sexually transmitted infections (n = 177, 30.5%). A minority of respondents (n = 161,27.7%) of participants mentioned blocked tubes and 24.6% (n = 143) irregular menstrual cycles. Although 36.1% of respondents were aware of ART; only 7.6% were willing to accept it. Being male [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) (95% CI)] 2.1 (1.55.72), childless [AOR (95% CI)] 2.2 (1.35.95), highly educated [AOR (95% CI)] 3.2 (1.326.72) and non-Muslim [AOR (95% CI)] 2.3 (1.23.76) were significant predictors of acceptance ofART.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infertility was correctly perceived as a disease, but there were misconceptions about its causes. The low acceptance of ART was influenced by socio-demographic factors. There is a need for sustained targeted information, education and communication regarding new reproductive technologies for fertility management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital & Bayero University Kano, Nigeria. ziliyasu@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Iliyasu
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Galadanci
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Abubakar
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Bashir
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Salihu
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Aliyu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult