AWARENESS, PERCEPTION AND ACCEPTABILITY OF CHILD FOSTERING AND ADOPTION AMONG INFERTILE WOMEN IN A NIGERIAN TERTIARY HEALTH CENTRE

*Abubakar A. Panti, Asmau M. Nasir, Abdulhadi D. Saidu, Jamila A. Garba, Karima A. Tunau and
Rukayya Ibrahim

ABSTRACT

Background: Infertility is a worldwide problem that has devastating social and psychological consequences on the affected couples, especially in Africa. However, the role of child adoption or fostering in the management of infertile couples has not been extensively evaluated in this part of the world. This study aimed to determine the awareness, perception and acceptability of child fostering and child adoption among infertile women attending gynaecological clinic of UDUTH Sokoto and also to determine the factors associated with knowledge and acceptability of child fostering and adoption. Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional study involving 146 infertile women seen at the Gynaecological clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto. Results: Majority 106(72.6%) had knowledge of fostering and 98 (67.1%) had knowledge of child adoption. Majority of the respondents 98(67.1%) perceived child fostering and adoption as good options for infertility management. However, 88(60.3%) would accept child fostering as an option for their infertility management, while 67(45.9%) would accept adoption. The number of living children, tribe, occupation and educational status were significantly associated with knowledge of child fostering while Age, tribe and occupation were associated with knowledge of adoption. The number of living children, duration of infertility, tribe, occupation and educational status were associated with acceptance of fostering while parity, number of living children, duration of infertility, age and occupation were associated with acceptability of child adoption. Conclusion: The knowledge of child fostering and adoption was high and good number of women would accept fostering but acceptability of adoption was lower. Continuous education of women and the community is necessary to improve their knowledge of child adoption and fostering which are viable and fulfilling options of fertility management.

Keywords: Infertility, fostering, adoption, Sokoto, Nigeria.