"Spoiling the Womb": Definitions, Aetiologies and Responses to Infertility in North West Province, Cameroon

Richards, Sarah C.

doi:10.2307/3583149

Cited by 21 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…That model would appear to offer a convincing explanation for how ideas about perceived side effects of modern contraceptive use spread within communities. In contrast, beliefs about a link between contraceptive use and infertility, similar to those articulated by our study participants in rural Kilifi County, have also been documented elsewhere in Kenya (Burke and Ambasa-Shisanya 2011;Ochako et al 2015) as well as in other East African countries (Farmer et al 2015), and Uganda (Morse et al 2014), thousands of miles away in West Africa (Otiode, Oronsaye, and Okonofua 2001;Richards 2002;Adongo et al 2014;Hindin, McGough, and Adanu 2014;Schwandt et al 2015), and even in the island nation of Madagascar (Klinger and Asgary 2017). It is not obvious how such a uniform set of beliefs could spread so widely without being amplified in some way, such as by mass media.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

“…As others have previously suggested (e.g., Inhorn ; Richards ), programs intended to promote uptake of contraceptives in settings where fertility is highly valued but infertility is widespread may ultimately prove more effective if they also make a concerted effort to address infertility. A recent review (PATH ) provides several useful recommendations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…), and Uganda (Morse et al. ), thousands of miles away in West Africa (Otiode, Oronsaye, and Okonofua ; Richards ; Adongo et al. ; Hindin, McGough, and Adanu ; Schwandt et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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“They Destroy the Reproductive System”: Exploring the Belief that Modern Contraceptive Use Causes Infertility

Sedlander¹,

Bingenheimer²,

Thiongo³

et al. 2018

Studies in Family Planning

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A common reason for nonuse of modern contraceptives is concern about side effects and health complications. This article provides a detailed characterization of the belief that modern contraceptives cause infertility, and an examination of how this belief arises and spreads, and why it is so salient. We conducted focus group discussions and key informant interviews in three rural communities along Kenya's eastern coast, and identified the following themes: (1) the belief that using modern contraception at a young age or before childbirth can make women infertile is widespread; (2) according to this belief, the most commonly used methods in the community were linked to infertility; (3) when women observe other women who cannot get pregnant after using modern contraceptives, they attribute the infertility to the use of contraception; (4) within the communities, the primary goal of marriage is childbirth and thus community approval is rigidly tied to childbearing; and, therefore (5) the social consequences of infertility are devastating. These findings may help inform the design of programs to address this belief and reduce unmet need.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

See 1 more Smart Citation

“They Destroy the Reproductive System”: Exploring the Belief that Modern Contraceptive Use Causes Infertility

Sedlander¹,

Bingenheimer²,

Thiongo³

et al. 2018

Studies in Family Planning

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“…Having children is important to the African irrespective of age, educational level or occupation because it proves ones fertility, marks an adult status and creates ties of obligation (Richards 2002). All fathers referred to the cultural imperative to have children, or that remaining childless once married was not an acceptable situation within Ghanaian society.…”

Section: Findings: Lay Discourses On Scd In Ghanamentioning

confidence: 99%

‘I can die today, I can die tomorrow’: lay perceptions of sickle cell disease in Kumasi, Ghana at a point of transition

et al. 2011

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Objective. To describe the lay meanings of sickle cell disease (SCD) in the Ashanti region of Ghana.Design. Depth interviews with 31 fathers of people with SCD; a focus group with health professionals associated with the newborn sickle cell screening programme, and a focus group with mothers of children with SCD.Results. Whilst there are discourses that associate sickle cell with early or recurrent death, with supernatural undermining of family well-being, and with economic challenges in purchasing medical care, other discourses that value children and other family practices that resist stigma are also in evidence.Conclusion. Lay perspectives on SCD are constructed in the contexts of enduring culture (the high value placed on children); changing culture (medicine and research as available alternative discourses to supernatural ones); altered material circumstances (newborn screening producing cohorts of children with SCD); changing political situations (insurance-based treatment); enhanced family resources (the experience of a cohort of young people with SCD). Above all the praxis of successfully caring for a child with SCD, and the political experience of sharing that praxis, stands in opposition to discourses of death and helps parents resist stigma and despair.

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“…Moreover, in the absence of social security systems, older people are economically completely dependent on their children. Childless women are frequently stigmatized, resulting in isolation, neglect, domestic violence and polygamy (Gerrits, 1997; Sundby, 1997; Papreen et al ., 2000; van Balen and Gerrits, 2001; Richards, 2002; van Balen, 2002; Araoye, 2003; Hollos, 2003; Wiersema et al ., 2006). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infertility and the provision of infertility medical services in developing countries

Ombelet

Cooke²,

Dyer

et al. 2008

Human Reproduction Update

530

398

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BACKGROUNDWorldwide more than 70 million couples suffer from infertility, the majority being residents of developing countries. Negative consequences of childlessness are experienced to a greater degree in developing countries when compared with Western societies. Bilateral tubal occlusion due to sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy-related infections is the most common cause of infertility in developing countries, a condition that is potentially treatable with assisted reproductive technologies (ART). New reproductive technologies are either unavailable or very costly in developing countries. This review provides a comprehensive survey of all important papers on the issue of infertility in developing countries.METHODSMedline, PubMed, Excerpta Medica and EMBASE searches identified relevant papers published between 1978 and 2007 and the keywords used were the combinations of ‘affordable, assisted reproduction, ART, developing countries, health services, infertility, IVF, simplified methods, traditional health care'.RESULTSThe exact prevalence of infertility in developing countries is unknown due to a lack of registration and well-performed studies. On the other hand, the implementation of appropriate infertility treatment is currently not a main goal for most international non-profit organizations. Keystones in the successful implementation of infertility care in low-resource settings include simplification of diagnostic and ART procedures, minimizing the complication rate of interventions, providing training-courses for health-care workers and incorporating infertility treatment into sexual and reproductive health-care programmes.CONCLUSIONSAlthough recognizing the importance of education and prevention, we believe that for the reasons of social justice, infertility treatment in developing countries requires greater attention at National and International levels.

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"Spoiling the Womb": Definitions, Aetiologies and Responses to Infertility in North West Province, Cameroon

Cited by 21 publications

References 1 publication

“They Destroy the Reproductive System”: Exploring the Belief that Modern Contraceptive Use Causes Infertility

“They Destroy the Reproductive System”: Exploring the Belief that Modern Contraceptive Use Causes Infertility

‘I can die today, I can die tomorrow’: lay perceptions of sickle cell disease in Kumasi, Ghana at a point of transition

Infertility and the provision of infertility medical services in developing countries

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