Navigating the social, ethical and legal challenges in the provision of in-vitro fertilisation care in Ghana: a qualitative study
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ghana Medical Centre, Legon, Accra Ghana
- 2African Bioethics Network, Nairobi, Kenya
- 3Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 13, Legon, Accra Ghana
Abstract
Background: In-vitro fertilization (IVF) presents complex ethical challenges, particularly in settings like Ghana, where cultural diversity and limited regulation exist. This study explored the lived experiences of healthcare professionals regarding the strategies they use to address the social, ethical and legal issues that arise in the provision of IVF services at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC).
Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted. Ten (10) healthcare providers were purposively selected from UGMC’s Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) unit using a maximum variation sampling strategy. In-depth interviews were conducted using an open-ended interview guide. Interviews lasted between 30 and 60 min. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically.
Results: The study revealed that healthcare providers primarily addressed ethical challenges in IVF service delivery through comprehensive counselling before, during, and after treatment. They also relied on collaborative decision-making, often involving multidisciplinary teams, to navigate complex dilemmas. Further, they adapted international guidelines to develop internal policies to guide their practice. Additionally, continuous professional development including ethics training, mentorship, and reflective practices was reported as essential for enhancing ethical competence and informed decision-making among IVF service providers.
Conclusion: IVF service providers at UGMC employ multi-layered strategies to address the social, legal and ethical challenges that arise in the provision of IVF services. However, these efforts remain largely context-specific and might not be enforceable across facilities. To strengthen ethical practice in the delivery of IVF services beyond this study context, mandatory ethics education and collaborative policy and guidelines development are essential.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-026-01570-9.
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BibTeX
@article{bambil2026navigating,
title = {{Navigating the social, ethical and legal challenges in the provision of in-vitro fertilisation care in Ghana: a qualitative study}},
author = {Diana Bambil and David Appiah and Jacob KD Amoatwo and John Kuumuori Ganle},
journal = {BMC Medical Ethics},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12910-026-01570-9},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-026-01570-9},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Navigating the social, ethical and legal challenges in the provision of in-vitro fertilisation care in Ghana: a qualitative study
AU - Diana Bambil
AU - David Appiah
AU - Jacob KD Amoatwo
AU - John Kuumuori Ganle
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/12
JO - BMC Medical Ethics
DO - 10.1186/s12910-026-01570-9
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-026-01570-9
AB - Background: In-vitro fertilization (IVF) presents complex ethical challenges, particularly in settings like Ghana, where cultural diversity and limited regulation exist. This study explored the lived experiences of healthcare professionals regarding the strategies they use to address the social, ethical and legal issues that arise in the provision of IVF services at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC). Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted. Ten (10) healthcare providers were purposively selected from UGMC’s Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) unit using a maximum variation sampling strategy. In-depth interviews were conducted using an open-ended interview guide. Interviews lasted between 30 and 60 min. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically. Results: The study revealed that healthcare providers primarily addressed ethical challenges in IVF service delivery through comprehensive counselling before, during, and after treatment. They also relied on collaborative decision-making, often involving multidisciplinary teams, to navigate complex dilemmas. Further, they adapted international guidelines to develop internal policies to guide their practice. Additionally, continuous professional development including ethics training, mentorship, and reflective practices was reported as essential for enhancing ethical competence and informed decision-making among IVF service providers. Conclusion: IVF service providers at UGMC employ multi-layered strategies to address the social, legal and ethical challenges that arise in the provision of IVF services. However, these efforts remain largely context-specific and might not be enforceable across facilities. To strengthen ethical practice in the delivery of IVF services beyond this study context, mandatory ethics education and collaborative policy and guidelines development are essential. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-026-01570-9.
SN - 1472-6939
ER -