Exploring the cultural perspectives and implications of infertility among couples in the Talensi and Nabdam Districts of the upper east region of Ghana
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Infertility remains a major clinical and social problem, affecting approximately one in every 10 couples. It is a reproductive health condition that is silently experienced with deep repercussions in the essence of self. In Ghana childbearing is considered a social prestige, where the couples are unduly pressurized to bear children for purposes of genealogical continuity. PURPOSE: This study explored the cultural perspectives and implications among males and females experiencing infertility in the Talensi and Nabdam districts of the Upper East Region of Ghana. METHODS: This study used an ethnographic design to explore the perspectives of couples on socio-cultural beliefs about infertility on 15 participants made up of 8 male and 7 female couple units. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique while semi-structured interviews were used to explore the cultural implications on male and female couple units. The data were analysed using Tesch's method of analysing qualitative data. RESULTS: Two broad themes and five subthemes emerged from the data analysis regarding the cultural implications of infertility. The major themes and subthemes include: (1) Varying cultural perceptions of infertility (Cultural beliefs and perceptions regarding causes of infertility, cultural consequences of infertility and traditional remedies for infertility), and (2) family dynamics stemming from infertility (abuse from family members, and parenthood as a standard for family inheritance). CONCLUSIONS: This study adduces evidence of the cultural implications of infertility in rural Ghana. Considering the cultural inclination of most Ghanaian communities, especially the current study setting, it is imperative that policymakers and public health practitioners should consider fertility interventions that are culturally sensitive. Also, culturally sensitive intervention programs that are targeted at increasing the awareness of the rural population on fertility and its treatment should be considered.
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In LMIC communities, infertility is closely linked to procreation and lineage.
“As a social construct, the discussion of infertility is of paramount importance in LMIC communities, as it is closely linked to procreation and lineage [22,26].”
From Psychosocial interventions for improving marital intimacy, sexual satisfaction, and quality of life of women and couples with infertility problems in low and middle-income countries: Systematic review protocol (2025) · cites this paper as [26]
The Results (Family dynamics stemming from infertility; page unavailable) link childbearing to inheritance and continuation of family lineage in the Ghanaian communities studied. The Discussion (page unavailable) also describes children as a guarantee of lineage in African societies. The paper does not establish that this link holds across LMIC communities generally. (LLM, conf=0.83)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredA number of infertile women and couples are not accorded due respect and recognition in society.
“Worryingly, a number of infertile women and couples are not accorded the due respect and recognition in society [22,26].”
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Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
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Sorted by citations
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“Worryingly, a number of infertile women and couples are not accorded the due respect and recognition in society [22,26].”
- Authors
- Kuug, A. K., James, S., & Sihaam, J.-B.
- Affiliations
- University of Health and Allied Sciences (GH)
- Nelson Mandela University (ZA)
- Corresponding author
- Kuug, Anthony Kolsabilik
- Venue
- Contraception and Reproductive Medicine
- Published
- 2023-04-19
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 28-28
- ISSN
- 2055-7426 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC10114423
- OpenAlex
- W4366425249
- Cited by
- 30
- References
- 34
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 1
- FWCI
- 7.19
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- Contraception and Reproductive Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Nelson Mandela University Research Repository (submittedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Reproductive Health and Technologies
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences
- Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History › Historical Studies on Reproduction, Gender, Health, and Societal Changes
- Keywords
- infertility, couples, family dynamics, family inheritance, family abuse, traditional remedies, rural Ghana
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