A Survey on Attitude Towards Oocyte Cryopreservation Among Female Academic Staff in Universities in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Career women in institutions of higher learning face the double challenges of career growth and development as well as productive reproductive life hence the need to regularly examine their dispositions towards reproductive health preservation technology during their career years. The study examined attitude towards oocyte cryopreservation among female academic staff in universities in Enugu State. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study. Three research questions in line with the specific purposes of the study guided the study. The population consisted of 398 female lecturers from seven universities in Enugu State. A total of 200 lecturers randomly sampled from six out of seven universities served as respondents. Multi-stage sampling procedure involving two stages of purposive and proportionate sampling techniques were used to sample the respondents. However, out of 200 sampled female lecturers only 171 of them consented and were used for the study. A self-made, structured and validated questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. The instrument was personally administered and collected at a later date with the help of five research assistants while data analysis was carried out with mean and standard deviation. Findings showed that female lecturers in universities in Enugu State exhibited positive attitude towards oocyte cryopreservation, reasons for oocyte cryopreservation and procedures involve in oocyte cryopreservation (x̄ = 2.72; x̄= 2.73; x̄ = 2.83). It was concluded that the female lectures in universities in Enugu State exhibited positive attitude towards oocyte cryopreservation. The recommendation among others is that further sensitization is needed through conferences, seminars and workshops by all relevant agencies of health including Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for career women whose fertility potentials are threatened while Enugu State Government should establish oocyte cryopreservation centres in the major cities and towns in the State to further motivate career women including female lecturers.