Navigating child adoption decision among women with infertility in Southern Ghana

• Parenthood is an essential human need, and the desire to procreate is nearly universal, making most couples eager to become parents and care for their children right after marriage. • Childbirth is a marriage expectation; thus, couples who cannot fulfil this come under tremendous pressure to conceive, which significantly raises their anxiety regardless of their educational or economic status. • Couple with infertility goes through psychological and social stress including hopelessness, stigma and suicidal ideation. • Child adoption becomes an alternative treatment for couples experiencing infertility. The traditional Ghanaian society is pro-natal, with childbearing as the ultimate purpose of marriage. However, infertility may impede this purpose, leading to the need for child adoption among couples. This study explored child adoption decisions among women with infertility in Southern Ghana. A qualitative descriptive exploratory design was used. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit eligible participants. Overall, 14 women with infertility were interviewed. Analyses of the data were conducted using content analysis after audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim. The findings suggested that to navigate the decision to adopt a child in Southern Ghana, there are key factors and environmental factors influencing the decision of these women. The study revealed that child adoption is associated with stigma, and some cultural beliefs, which were described as impediments to their decision-making process. The findings suggest that discrimination, stigma, and cultural beliefs, are the obstacles to child adoption in Southern Ghana. As a result, there is a need for community engagement, particularly with traditional and religious leaders, on child adoption issues in Ghana.