Cultural and Ethical Challenges of Assisted Reproductive Technologies in the Management of Infertility among the Yoruba of Southwestern Nigeria
), Adetona S. FAYEMIWO(2),
(1)
(2)
Corresponding Author
Abstract
This paper discusses the cultural and ethical issues arising from the use of Assisted Reproductive Health Technologies. Twenty-five In-depth interviews were conducted with 5 couples of reproductive age who have never conceived or brought pregnancy to term after one year of unprotected intercourse, 4 adult males, 4 adult females, a gyneacologist, a nurse, a herbalist and 2 religious leaders in Ibadan, Nigeria. Content analysis was used for data analysis. Legitimacy of children born through ART, religious obligation, patriarchy, polygamy and value of children are cultural issues surrounding ARTs while decision making about it, discrimination against children born through ART, psychological problems and loss of self esteem, side effects of the technologies and the cost of accessing them are the ethical challenges. The findings have methodological implications for conducting infertility research in nonwestern societies. (Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[2]: 115-127).
RĖSUMĖ
Défis culturels et éthiques des technologies de la reproduction assistées dans le traitement de la stérilité chez les Yoruba du sud-ouest du Nigéria Cette étude discute les problèmes culturels qui proviennent de l‘emploi des technologies de la santé de la reproduction aussi bien que les défis qui en résultent. Nous avons recueilli vingt – cinq interviews en profondeur au sein de 5 couples en âge d‘avoir des enfants mais qui n‘ont jamais été enceinte ou dont la grossesse n‘est jamais arrivée à terme après une année des rapports sexuels non protégés, 4 mâles adultes, 4 femmes adultes, un gynécologue, une infirmière, un herboriste et deux pasteurs à Ibadan, Nigeria. On s‘est servi de l‘analyse du contenu pour analyser les données. La légitimité des enfants nés à l‘aide des TRAs, les obligations religieuses, le patriarcat, la polygamie et la valeur des enfants, sont des problèmes culturels autour des TRAs alors que la prise de décision à son égard, la discrimination contre les enfants nés à l‘aide des TRAs, les problèmes psychologiques et la perte de l‘amour–propre, les effets secondaires des technologies et le coût de l‘évaluation sont les défis éthiques. Les résultats ont des implications méthodologiques pour la recherche sur la stérilité dans les sociétés non occidentales (Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[2]: 115127).
KEYWORDS: Reproduction, Technology, Infertility, Africa, Management
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