Luca Koppen University of Amsterdam Master Medical Anthropology and - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Luca Koppen University of Amsterdam Master Medical Anthropology and Sociology

Index   Introduction  Research question  Conceptual framework  Methodology  Findings  Conclusion  Recommendations

Introduction   Infertility: major global health issue  Lack of attention to infertility in global and public health field  ARTs only available in private health care sector  Two gaps in literature

Research Question  How do women and men facing fertility problems in Nairobi, Kenya, a context where having children is highly valued and access to ARTs is limited, experience the medicalization of infertility?

Conceptual Framework   Social constructionism  Stratified Reproduction  Medicalization

Methodology   Footsteps to Fertility Centre (Nairobi, Kenya)  Thirty in-depth interviews  Two focus group discussions  Observations

Findings   Infertility is deviant: societal pressure and stigmatization  Wish to medicalize infertility  ARTs as technologies of hope  Reproductive agency: stratified

Findings   Stratification enhanced by limited (access to) information about infertility and fertility treatment  Contradictory aims in provision of private fertility care  “Informed medicalization”: stratified

Conclusion   Contradiction in the experience of women and men facing fertility problems with the medicalization of infertility o Medicalization desired o Stratified reproduction: limited access to ARTs and lack of information

Recommendations   More research to infertility in Kenya  More attention to infertility among policymakers  More affordable/accessible ARTs  Provision of information

Questions?  Thank you for your attention!