Evaluation of Awareness of Infant Fostering Among Women in a Gynaecological Setting: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

Abstract

Infertility remains a significant reproductive health challenge with profound psychological and social implications for women, particularly in African societies where childbearing is highly valued. This study evaluated the awareness of infant fostering (child adoption) among women in a gynaecological setting. The main objective was to determine the level of awareness and its implications for reproductive health education and policy frameworks. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was employed for this comprehensive investigation. A convenience sample of 164 women attending the gynaecological clinic at Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital (AE-FUTHA) participated willingly. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed thoroughly using frequency tables and percentages. Results revealed that 76.22% (125/164) of the respondents had heard of infant fostering, while 23.78% (39/164) had no prior awareness. The primary source of information was friends (40.80%, 51/125), followed by mass media (27.20%, 34/125). Applications of these findings include integrating comprehensive infant fostering education into existing reproductive health programs, developing community awareness campaigns, and strengthening specialized counseling services for infertile women to promote informed decision-making within the healthcare sector.