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Gender Dynamics and the Socioeconomic Implications of Infertility in Sierra Leone: A Study on Health, Social Stigmatization, and Economic Impact

Received: 13 September 2024     Accepted: 29 September 2024     Published: 18 October 2024
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Abstract

Gender Dynamics and the Socioeconomic Implications of Infertility in Sierra Leone delves profoundly into the intricate effects of infertility on persons and broader society. Infertility in Sierra Leone surpasses medical confines, interweaving fundamentally with cultural, communal, and economic factors. Women disproportionately bear the consequences, suffering from social exclusion, economic hardship, and psychological distress. Societal expectation that ties femininity to motherhood increase these stresses. This societal expectation places immense anxiety on women who are unable to conceive, regularly resulting in discrimination, stigmatization, and isolation from family and social life. Financially, families expend considerable amounts on fertility treatments, which frequently lead to monetary instability, especially in lower-income families. Infertile women, already marginalized, face compounded challenges due to reduced inheritance rights, limited economic possibilities, and societal exclusion. Psychologically, the emotional toll is severe, with many experiencing depression, anxiety, and isolation. The research calls for comprehensive policies that address the multifaceted character of infertility. It advocates for gender-sensitive reproductive wellness initiatives and societal efforts to decrease the stigma associated with infertility. By promoting equitable access to healthcare, improving mental health services, and tackling cultural stigmatization, the study emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to mitigate the socioeconomic and health-related impacts of infertility in Sierra Leone. Ultimately, the findings highlight the urgency of policy reforms that integrate medical, social, and economic viewpoints to better support those affected by infertility.

Published in World Journal of Public Health (Volume 9, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.wjph.20240904.11
Page(s) 313-321
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Infertility, Sierra Leone, Gender Inequality, Socioeconomic Impact, Cultural Stigma

References
[1] Arowojolu, A. O., & Ilesanmi, A. O. (2014). Infertility in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Role of Infectious Diseases. Journal of Global Health, 4(2), 45-56.
[2] Fledderjohann, J. (2012). ‘Zero is not good for me’: Implications of Infertility in Ghana. Human Reproduction, 27(5), 1383-1390.
[3] Geelhoed, D. W., Nayembil, D., Asare, K., Schagen van Leeuwen, J. H., & Van Roosmalen, J. (2002). Infertility in rural Ghana: Between cultural expectations and healthcare reality. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 7(3), 219-226.
[4] Leke, R. J. I., & Tangwa, G. B. (2018). Ethical and Social Implications of Infertility in Africa. Bioethics, 32(7), 451-459.
[5] Ombelet, W. (2011). The Infertility Trap: African Women Barren of Dignity. Reproductive Health Matters, 19(38), 113-122.
[6] Ezeh, A. C. (1997). The Influence of Spouses Over Each Other's Contraceptive Attitudes in Ghana. Studies in Family Planning, 28(2), 104-121.
[7] Greil, A. L., McQuillan, J., & Slauson-Blevins, K. S. (2011). The Social Construction of Infertility. Sociology Compass, 5(8), 736-746.
[8] Harvey, S. M., Beckman, L. J., Wright, C., & Wong-Kim, E. (2001). The Impact of Infertility: A Gender-Specific Perspective. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 19(1), 1-12.
[9] Koster, W. (2003). Secret Strategies: Women and Abortion in Yoruba Society, Nigeria. Health Care for Women International, 24(3), 228-244.
[10] Mbizvo, M. T., & Bassett, M. T. (1996). Reproductive Health and AIDS Prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case for Increased Male Participation. Health Policy and Planning, 11(1), 84-92.
[11] Runganga, A. O., Sundby, J., & Aggleton, P. (2001). Culture, Identity, and Reproductive Failure in Zimbabwe. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 16(3), 265-278.
[12] Stecklov, G. (1999). Evaluating the Economic Returns to Childbearing in Côte d'Ivoire. World Bank Economic Review, 13(2), 379-398.
[13] Tangwa, G. B. (2004). The Traditional African Perception of a Person: Some Implications for Bioethics. Hastings Center Report, 34(2), 21-24.
[14] UNAIDS (2013). Global Report: UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic 2013. UNAIDS.
[15] Vayena, E., Rowe, P. J., & Griffin, P. D. (2001). Current Practices and Controversies in Assisted Reproduction. World Health Organization.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Sesay, S. M. (2024). Gender Dynamics and the Socioeconomic Implications of Infertility in Sierra Leone: A Study on Health, Social Stigmatization, and Economic Impact. World Journal of Public Health, 9(4), 313-321. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20240904.11

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    ACS Style

    Sesay, S. M. Gender Dynamics and the Socioeconomic Implications of Infertility in Sierra Leone: A Study on Health, Social Stigmatization, and Economic Impact. World J. Public Health 2024, 9(4), 313-321. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20240904.11

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    AMA Style

    Sesay SM. Gender Dynamics and the Socioeconomic Implications of Infertility in Sierra Leone: A Study on Health, Social Stigmatization, and Economic Impact. World J Public Health. 2024;9(4):313-321. doi: 10.11648/j.wjph.20240904.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.wjph.20240904.11,
      author = {Safuan Muckson Sesay},
      title = {Gender Dynamics and the Socioeconomic Implications of Infertility in Sierra Leone: A Study on Health, Social Stigmatization, and Economic Impact
    },
      journal = {World Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {9},
      number = {4},
      pages = {313-321},
      doi = {10.11648/j.wjph.20240904.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjph.20240904.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjph.20240904.11},
      abstract = {Gender Dynamics and the Socioeconomic Implications of Infertility in Sierra Leone delves profoundly into the intricate effects of infertility on persons and broader society. Infertility in Sierra Leone surpasses medical confines, interweaving fundamentally with cultural, communal, and economic factors. Women disproportionately bear the consequences, suffering from social exclusion, economic hardship, and psychological distress. Societal expectation that ties femininity to motherhood increase these stresses. This societal expectation places immense anxiety on women who are unable to conceive, regularly resulting in discrimination, stigmatization, and isolation from family and social life. Financially, families expend considerable amounts on fertility treatments, which frequently lead to monetary instability, especially in lower-income families. Infertile women, already marginalized, face compounded challenges due to reduced inheritance rights, limited economic possibilities, and societal exclusion. Psychologically, the emotional toll is severe, with many experiencing depression, anxiety, and isolation. The research calls for comprehensive policies that address the multifaceted character of infertility. It advocates for gender-sensitive reproductive wellness initiatives and societal efforts to decrease the stigma associated with infertility. By promoting equitable access to healthcare, improving mental health services, and tackling cultural stigmatization, the study emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to mitigate the socioeconomic and health-related impacts of infertility in Sierra Leone. Ultimately, the findings highlight the urgency of policy reforms that integrate medical, social, and economic viewpoints to better support those affected by infertility.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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    AB  - Gender Dynamics and the Socioeconomic Implications of Infertility in Sierra Leone delves profoundly into the intricate effects of infertility on persons and broader society. Infertility in Sierra Leone surpasses medical confines, interweaving fundamentally with cultural, communal, and economic factors. Women disproportionately bear the consequences, suffering from social exclusion, economic hardship, and psychological distress. Societal expectation that ties femininity to motherhood increase these stresses. This societal expectation places immense anxiety on women who are unable to conceive, regularly resulting in discrimination, stigmatization, and isolation from family and social life. Financially, families expend considerable amounts on fertility treatments, which frequently lead to monetary instability, especially in lower-income families. Infertile women, already marginalized, face compounded challenges due to reduced inheritance rights, limited economic possibilities, and societal exclusion. Psychologically, the emotional toll is severe, with many experiencing depression, anxiety, and isolation. The research calls for comprehensive policies that address the multifaceted character of infertility. It advocates for gender-sensitive reproductive wellness initiatives and societal efforts to decrease the stigma associated with infertility. By promoting equitable access to healthcare, improving mental health services, and tackling cultural stigmatization, the study emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to mitigate the socioeconomic and health-related impacts of infertility in Sierra Leone. Ultimately, the findings highlight the urgency of policy reforms that integrate medical, social, and economic viewpoints to better support those affected by infertility.
    
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