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'The Right to Have a Family Should Not Be Determined by Your Postcode': Rural Community Experiences With Fertility
Amanda Mackay1, Selina Taylor2, Emma Anderson3
1Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
The Australian Journal of Rural Health
|July 30, 2026
Summary
Women in rural Queensland face significant barriers to fertility care. This study explored their experiences and identified strategies, including local information hubs and policy changes, to improve access and outcomes for rural fertility services.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Rural Health
- Healthcare Access
Background:
- Rural and remote women in Queensland experience disparities in accessing fertility care compared to urban counterparts.
- Geographical location significantly impacts fertility-related knowledge, information access, service accessibility, and social support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the lived experiences of women accessing fertility care in rural/remote Queensland.
- To identify participants' perspectives on improving fertility care services in these areas.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with women living rurally in Queensland who had accessed fertility care.
- Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis and descriptive content analysis.
Main Results:
- Two main themes emerged: challenges in accessing/receiving fertility care and proposed improvements.
- Rural living complicated fertility experiences, affecting knowledge, service access, choice, privacy, and support.
- Participants suggested strategies ranging from local information hubs to policy reforms.
Conclusions:
- Women in rural and remote areas face unique challenges in fertility care.
- Participants provided actionable strategies to enhance rural fertility care delivery and mitigate postcode-related disadvantages.
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