Exploring MAR perceptions in Kosovo – disparities in knowledge about MAR among young people

TL;DR

This study explores young people in Kosovo's understanding and perceptions of fertility and medically assisted reproduction, revealing significant knowledge gaps and gender-related attitudes.

Contribution

The study provides new qualitative insights into MAR perceptions and fertility awareness among young Kosovans, highlighting gender taboos and information gaps.

Findings

Parenthood is still viewed as gender-related in Kosovo, with male infertility considered a taboo.

Young people in Kosovo show a substantial lack of knowledge about MAR techniques.

There is a need for detailed information about the MAR process to improve awareness.

Abstract

Research on knowledge and perception about (in)fertility and Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR) techniques among young people in Kosovo is lacking. Part of the European Project’s B²-InF’s team conducted a qualitative study in Kosovo with young adults (18–30) in 2021 assessing perceptions and views related to MAR and information provided by the MAR clinics in Kosovo. Main objective of this study is to explore perceptions about motherhood/fatherhood and to understand (in)fertility issues among young people in Kosovo. It is focused to delve more into MAR knowledge and techniques of young people in Kosovo and in general. Fifteen interviews with young people living in Kosovo between June and July 2021 were conducted. A total of 3 themes emerged during the qualitative analysis and were grouped in three main theme levels. The first level, perceptions about motherhood and fatherhood among young people in Kosovo is about different views of young people in Kosovo, desires about becoming parents, what is their personal attitude towards parenting. The second, relevance/importance of fertility in Kosovo context is looking at importance of (in)fertility within the young people from gender perspective. The third, MAR perceptions and new techniques that are prevailing in the global sense as different access opportunities are present. The findings from our interviews demonstrated that parenthood is still gender related. Male (in)fertility is often considered a taboo among the young people in Kosovo. A substantial amount of lack of knowledge was found in relation to MAR techniques, highlighting the importance of detailed information about the whole process of MAR treatments.