Lived experiences and coping strategies of persons seeking infertility treatment in the Kumasi metropolis: a descriptive phenomenological study
Abstract Background Women seeking fertility treatment face myriad challenges that they must adapt and adjust to daily. This aimed at exploring the experiences and coping strategies of such persons in the Kumasi. Metropolis. Methods A qualitative approach was employed and a purposive sampling techniq...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Women's Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02194-6 |
| _version_ | 1797863657893265408 |
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| author | Louisa Annan-Frey Edward Appiah Boateng Alberta Lomotey Christopher Lartey Veronica Dzomeku |
| author_facet | Louisa Annan-Frey Edward Appiah Boateng Alberta Lomotey Christopher Lartey Veronica Dzomeku |
| author_sort | Louisa Annan-Frey |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Women seeking fertility treatment face myriad challenges that they must adapt and adjust to daily. This aimed at exploring the experiences and coping strategies of such persons in the Kumasi. Metropolis. Methods A qualitative approach was employed and a purposive sampling technique was used to select 19 participants. A semi-structured interview was used to collect data. The data collected were analyzed using Colaizzi's method of data analysis. Results Persons living with infertility had emotional experiences of anxiety, stress, and depression. Socially, participants experienced isolation, stigma, societal pressure, and marital problems due to their inability to conceive. The key coping strategies adopted were spiritual (faith-based) and social support. Though formal child adoption can be an option, no participant preferred it as a coping strategy. Some participants also reported using herbal medicine before going to the fertility centre upon realizing that the approach was not helping in achieving their desired outcome. Conclusion Infertility is a source of suffering for most women diagnosed with it, resulting in significant negative experiences in their matrimonial homes, families, friends, and the community at large. Most participants rely on spiritual and social support as their immediate and basic coping strategies. Future research could evaluate the treatment and coping strategies and also determine the outcomes of other forms of treatment for infertility. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:39:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-21d384c44c894ebd9e8411fa0b0f855e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6874 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:39:01Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-21d384c44c894ebd9e8411fa0b0f855e2023-03-22T12:15:45ZengBMCBMC Women's Health1472-68742023-02-0123111110.1186/s12905-023-02194-6Lived experiences and coping strategies of persons seeking infertility treatment in the Kumasi metropolis: a descriptive phenomenological studyLouisa Annan-Frey0Edward Appiah Boateng1Alberta Lomotey2Christopher Lartey3Veronica Dzomeku4Nursing and Midwifery Training CollegeDepartment of Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyNursing and Midwifery Training CollegeDepartment of Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyAbstract Background Women seeking fertility treatment face myriad challenges that they must adapt and adjust to daily. This aimed at exploring the experiences and coping strategies of such persons in the Kumasi. Metropolis. Methods A qualitative approach was employed and a purposive sampling technique was used to select 19 participants. A semi-structured interview was used to collect data. The data collected were analyzed using Colaizzi's method of data analysis. Results Persons living with infertility had emotional experiences of anxiety, stress, and depression. Socially, participants experienced isolation, stigma, societal pressure, and marital problems due to their inability to conceive. The key coping strategies adopted were spiritual (faith-based) and social support. Though formal child adoption can be an option, no participant preferred it as a coping strategy. Some participants also reported using herbal medicine before going to the fertility centre upon realizing that the approach was not helping in achieving their desired outcome. Conclusion Infertility is a source of suffering for most women diagnosed with it, resulting in significant negative experiences in their matrimonial homes, families, friends, and the community at large. Most participants rely on spiritual and social support as their immediate and basic coping strategies. Future research could evaluate the treatment and coping strategies and also determine the outcomes of other forms of treatment for infertility.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02194-6Infertile coupleGenderLived experienceInfertility treatmentCoping strategies |
| spellingShingle | Louisa Annan-Frey Edward Appiah Boateng Alberta Lomotey Christopher Lartey Veronica Dzomeku Lived experiences and coping strategies of persons seeking infertility treatment in the Kumasi metropolis: a descriptive phenomenological study BMC Women's Health Infertile couple Gender Lived experience Infertility treatment Coping strategies |
| title | Lived experiences and coping strategies of persons seeking infertility treatment in the Kumasi metropolis: a descriptive phenomenological study |
| title_full | Lived experiences and coping strategies of persons seeking infertility treatment in the Kumasi metropolis: a descriptive phenomenological study |
| title_fullStr | Lived experiences and coping strategies of persons seeking infertility treatment in the Kumasi metropolis: a descriptive phenomenological study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lived experiences and coping strategies of persons seeking infertility treatment in the Kumasi metropolis: a descriptive phenomenological study |
| title_short | Lived experiences and coping strategies of persons seeking infertility treatment in the Kumasi metropolis: a descriptive phenomenological study |
| title_sort | lived experiences and coping strategies of persons seeking infertility treatment in the kumasi metropolis a descriptive phenomenological study |
| topic | Infertile couple Gender Lived experience Infertility treatment Coping strategies |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02194-6 |
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