ArticlePloS one2019
'We are always desperate and will try anything to conceive': The convoluted and dynamic process of health seeking among women with infertility in the West Coast Region of The Gambia.
Article in PloS one, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers.
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Who cites it
17 citing papers in PubMed, 32 citations in OpenAlex.
- Experiences and actions taken by women to address delayed conception in Delhi, India: A qualitative study.PLOS global public health · 2026Article
- The impact of socioeconomic characteristics on Sudanese women's use of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine for self-management of infertility.BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2025Article
- What women want to hear: the helpful and unhelpful comments reported by women struggling with infertility amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.PloS one · 2025Article
- FERTILITY CARE IN LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES: Implementing fertility care: insights from a participatory workshop in The Gambia.Reproduction & fertility · 2024Review
- A scoping review of the psychosocial aspects of infertility in African countries.Reproductive health · 2024Article
- Care-seeking for difficulties conceiving in sub-Saharan Africa: findings from population-based surveys in eight geographies.Human reproduction (Oxford, England) · 2024Article
- 'It's about time': policymakers' and health practitioners' perspectives on implementing fertility care in the Gambian health system.BMC health services research · 2024Article
- Knowledge of Male Infertility and Acceptance of Medical Assistance Reproductive Technology Among Fertile and Infertile Senegalese Men.Research and reports in urology · 2024Article
- Policy action points and approaches to promote fertility care in The Gambia: Findings from a mixed-methods study.PloS one · 2024Article
- Shared Decision-Making About Future Fertility in Childhood Cancer Survivorship: Perspectives of Parents in Uganda.Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology · 2023Article
- Introducing assisted reproductive technologies in The Gambia, a survey on the perspectives of Gambian healthcare professionals and medical students.BMC health services research · 2023Article
- Lived experiences and coping strategies of persons seeking infertility treatment in the Kumasi metropolis: a descriptive phenomenological study.BMC women's health · 2023Article
- Treatment-seeking behaviour among infertile tribal women of Palghar district in India.Frontiers in reproductive health · 2023Article
- Indigenous practitioners' views on causes of female infertility.Health SA = SA Gesondheid · 2023Article
- Availability of services for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility in The Gambia`s public and private health facilities: a cross-sectional survey.BMC health services research · 2022Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 4 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
Abstract
introductionIn many Sub-Saharan African countries, women with infertility search relentlessly for treatment. Guided by the Partners for Applied Social Sciences model for health seeking behaviour and access to care research, this study aims to understand the health seeking behaviour of women with infertility in the West Coast region of The Gambia and the influence of aetiological beliefs on health seeking paths. METHODOLOGY: A qualitative approach was used to generate both primary and secondary data for thematic analysis. The data collection methods included in-depth interviews (36), observations (18), informal conversations (42), group discussion (7) and made use of pile-sorting exercises. Sources of secondary data included government and non-governmental reports and media outputs.
resultsThe health seeking approaches of women living in both rural and urban areas were extremely complex and dynamic, with women reporting that they looked for biomedical treatment as well as seeking indigenous treatment provided by local healers, sacred places and kanyaleng groups. While treatment choice was related to the perceived aetiology of infertility, it was also strongly influenced by the perceived effectiveness of the treatment available and the duration of the fertility problems. Other relevant factors were the affordability, accessibility and availability of treatment and respondents' family and social networks, whereby access to the biomedical health sector was strongly influenced by people's socio-economic background.
conclusionOn the basis of this analysis and our wider research in the area, we see a need for health authorities to further invest in providing information and counselling on issues related to infertility prevention and treatment. The availability of locally applicable guidelines for the management of infertility for both men and women at all levels of the health system would facilitate such work. In addition, the public sphere should provide more space for alternative forms of social identity for both men and women.
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