Management of infertility among primary health care physicians in Morocco: a cross-sectional study

TL;DR

This study examines how primary care doctors in Morocco handle infertility, finding gaps in knowledge and practices that suggest a need for better training and guidelines.

Contribution

The study provides insights into the current practices and challenges of infertility management by general physicians in Moroccan primary health care.

Findings

44.3% of physicians believed infertility management is not part of primary health care services.

70.2% of physicians did not investigate infertility among couples.

Lack of knowledge and poor communication with specialists significantly influenced infertility management practices.

Abstract

the management of infertility in primary health care services can be the first opportunity to address the inability to conceive. The objective of this investigation is to explore practices, obstacles, and recommendations of general physicians (GPs) towards infertility management in Moroccan primary health care services (PHCSs).

a cross-sectional study with a total population sample was conducted (325 GPs accepted to participate in our study) between December 2022 and October 2023. They were working in PHCSs of Marrakesh-Safi region. The questions were about the characteristics of GPs, infertility management, and suggestions to improve their management approaches for infertility. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25.

the results showed that infertility management in PHCSs was influenced by gender (p= 0.016), age (p=0.003), post-graduated period (p < 0.001), and years of experience (p < 0,001). Forty-four point three percent (44.3%) of physicians believed that infertility management is not an activity for PHCSs. Seventy point two percent (70.2%) of them did not investigate among infertile couples. However, just 13.8% of them never gave advice about improving fertility. Ninety-five point four percent (95.4%) reported that they never participated in infertility treatment. Communication with specialists after referral (OR= 8,044; p= 0.050) and lack of knowledge about infertility (OR= 16,173; p<0.001) influenced infertility management by GPs.

general physicians in our study had positive attitudes about infertility management in PHCSs. Results showed that there is a need to improve infertility management and to develop standard guidelines and continuing education programs about infertility is a pivotal way to promote infertility management in PHCSs.