Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Infertile Women on Child Adoption in Douala (Cameroon)

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices on child adoption among infertile women in Douala (Cameroon). Methods: It was a prospective descriptive study of six months duration at the General Hospital and the Dawn Medical Foundation Clinic. Patients of the gynecologic unit presenting with infertility were included. A questioner was administer to each patient with the following variables: Age, marital status, profession, level of education, past gynecologic history, number of children, type and the duration of infertility. Their knowledge, attitude and practice toward child adoption were investigated. Data collected was analyzed using the statistical software EPI-INFO 6.04 and R. p value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Among the 300 women included, 269 (89.7%) had already heard about adoption, 62.1% through the media. Seventeen percent knew who to meet in order to adopt a child in Cameroon. Two hundred and thirty patients (76.7%) were in favor of adoption but 48.7% of them didn’t want to adopt a child. One percent of patient had adopted a child. The attitude towards adoption was significantly influenced by the duration of infertility of more than 10 years (p = 0.0014). Among women who have at least one child 9.4% wanted adoption against 21.4% who did not want adoption (p = 0.0305). Among women aged between 25 and 30 years, 28.2% wanted to adopt a child against 79.1% who did not want it (p = 0.000). Eighty five percent of women who had secondary infertility did not want to adopt against 44.7% who wanted it (p = 0.0003). Conclusion: The level of knowledge is high in educated patient. However, many women don’t know the right procedure and the structures in charge of adoption. Their attitude is favorable but the practice of adoption remains low.