Assisted reproduction services provision in a developing country: time to act?

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Public Health
• Global Health

Background:

• Subfertility affects a significant portion of the population in developing countries.
• Access to advanced reproductive treatments like assisted reproductive technology (ART) is often limited in these regions.
• Understanding the local landscape of subfertility and ART is crucial for improving reproductive healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of subfertility in Kenya.
• To evaluate the current provision of assisted reproductive technology (ART) services.
• To identify barriers hindering access to ART in a developing country context.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was conducted.
• Obstetricians and gynecologists in Kenya were invited to participate.
• Data were collected on subfertility rates and ART service availability.

Main Results:

• A 26.1% subfertility rate was reported, with tubal and male factors being primary causes.
• Assisted reproductive technology (ART) services, including in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplascitic sperm injection (ICSI), were available in only three centers.
• High treatment costs, limited patient finances, and scarcity of local services were identified as major barriers to ART access.

Conclusions:

• The demand for assisted reproductive technology (ART) is substantial in developing countries.
• There is a critical need for simplified, cost-effective, and more accessible ART approaches.
• Further research and implementation of such strategies are necessary to address unmet needs in reproductive healthcare.