ArticleBMJ public health2026
Religion's role in managing infertility in Ghana: views from obstetricians and gynaecologists - a qualitative study.
Article in BMJ public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Introduction: Infertility is a major global reproductive health issue that impacts individuals from diverse backgrounds. Evidence shows that those facing infertility often seek help from medical, traditional and religious sources in their quest for parenthood. Thus, while medical treatment seeking to curb infertility is often preferred, couples are inclined to access multiple medical services to find a solution to their infertility. However, the complexities of health-seeking behaviours among infertile couples, especially from the perspective of healthcare providers, are often overlooked. This study aims to examine how healthcare professionals navigate their clients' religious beliefs as they provide support to those seeking treatment for infertility. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, qualitative study that employed in-depth interviews with ten healthcare workers (obstetricians and gynaecologists) at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were analysed with ATLAS.ti via thematic network analysis. Ethical approval was obtained from the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Ethics Committee (approval number KBTH-STC/IRB/000152/2023). All participants provided written informed consent. Results: In the in-depth interviews, three key themes related to healthcare workers' perceptions of infertility treatment seeking emerged from the analysis: (1) solutions offered or accepted, (2) barriers to solutions and (3) faith in integration. Encouraging patients to find hope in their faith, acknowledging the use of religious rituals as coping mechanisms, and recognising the psychological benefits for patients are integral components of healthcare personnel's approach to supporting their clients. Conclusions: Infertility is a major medical and social problem. Obstetricians/gynaecologists recognise the significant role that religion plays in the fertility journey, and they employ various strategies to navigate this predicament. Healthcare professionals advocate a comprehensive treatment approach that combines medical interventions with religious practices, emphasising how intertwined these interventions are.
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