Year: 2026 | Month: September | Volume: 16 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 100-107
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260912
Knowledge and Perceptions of Assisted Reproductive Technology Among Fertility Clinic Attendees: A Cross-Sectional Study at a Specialist Fertility Centre in Kumasi, Ghana
Felix Alex Danquah1, Joseph Kwasi Brenyah1, Ben Adu Gyan2
1Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
2Thrivus Institute for Biomedical Science and Technology, Ghana
Corresponding Author: Felix Alex Danquah
ABSTRACT
Background: Infertility can greatly affect social well-being where parenthood is tied to social status. Although assisted reproductive technology (ART) is an established clinical option, awareness and perceptions of its use in Ghana may be influenced by socio-demographic, economic, cultural, and religious factors.
Objectives: This study assessed knowledge and perceptions of ART, information sources, and whether respondents perceived religion or culture as hindering ART use among fertility-clinic attendees in Kumasi, Ghana.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 145 adults attending a specialist fertility centre, selected by purposive-then-convenience sampling. Data were collected from September to December 2024 using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Most had tertiary education (79.3%) and were professionals (55.2%). Health facilities (41.4%) and digital platforms (37.9%) were the leading information sources. Severe stigmatising beliefs were generally rejected: 58.6% did not regard ART-conceived children as cognitively impaired and 69.0% as defective. However, 62.1% agreed that religion or culture can hinder ART use. Concern about ART-related risks was more mixed, with 44.8% considering fetal malformation not at all or only slightly likely. Knowledge items were incompletely answered; 13.8% did not respond to the item on alternative birth options.
Conclusion: Health facilities and digital platforms were important information sources, and severe stigmatising beliefs were generally rejected. However, 62.1% perceived religion or culture as a potential barrier, which remains relevant in fertility-care decision-making. Culturally sensitive counselling and reproductive-health education may support informed decisions about ART.
Key words: Assisted reproductive technology; Infertility; Knowledge; Perception; Cultural barriers; Ghana.