Bioethical and social determinants of in vitro fertilisation in the opinions of midwives

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Bioethical and social determinants of in vitro fertilisation in the opinions of midwives

Journal Title: Medycyna Ogólna i Nauki o Zdrowiu - Year 2011, Vol 17, Issue 2

Abstract

Introduction: The process of the progressive medicalization of social life led to the use of the biomedical category of‘disease’ with regard to the phenomenon of infertility. As a consequence of such an interpretation, all medical intervention aimed at procreation, including in vitro, have been justified. However, in the current discussion concerning the conditioning and consequences of infertility, there co-occur various arguments – medical, social, religious and ethical.Objective: The objective of the study is to determine midwives’ opinions pertaining to the reasons for IVF use by infertile co- uples, and to investigate the attitudes towards in vitro fertilization, which in midwives’ opinions, are dominant in Poland. Material and method: The research was conducted in 2009, among 107 midwives who improved their qualifications byundertaking studies at the Medical University in Lublin.Results: According to respondents, the main reason for IVF use amongst infertile women is to satisfy their maternal needs (57.0%). More than 23.4 % of these women benefit from the advancements in medicine. The vast majority of midwives declared positive attitudes towards in vitro fertilization (78.5%); nevertheless, they mentioned that the infertile couples equally often represent negative (32.7%) and positive (30.8%) attitudes towards IVF.As far as social opinions are concerned, according to 76.6% of respondents, these are primarily medical reasons that speak for in vitro fertilization, while the religious reasons are against (80.3%).Conclusions: The results of the research reflect the pluralism of opinions about in vitro fertilization among the represen- tatives of various social and occupational groups in Poland.In midwives’ opinions, the medical perception of fertility was dominant, as well as a high level of acceptance of in vitro fertilization.Among the reasons for making decisions concerning the use of IVF by the infertile couples, apart from personal preferences, the respondents perceived the opportunities offered by modern medicine.Midwives stressed that societal attitudes towards infertile couples using in vitro fertilization vary depending on medical, religious and ethical beliefs.

Authors and Affiliations

Renata Bogusz, Edyta Gałęziowska

Keywords

EP ID EP69650
DOI -
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