Talking About Infertility in Kenya: An Analysis of News Stories Posted on Social Media

In many cultures, infertility is a health issue that is not discussed, especially in public. In Kenya, the fertility rate, slightly over 3 births per woman, has been in decline, and while some couples are deciding to have fewer children, some are diagnosed with infertility. African countries generally tend to have a low primary infertility rate but high secondary infertility rates; infertility is more common after a successful first birth. Because many health and social factors have relevance, this paper explores narratives about infertility in news videos posted on YouTube in Kenya. The researchers analyzed 20 videos that met the criteria: posted 7 years ago or less and less than 20 minutes long. Results reflect concerns about stigma, stress, and fertility treatment options. The implications are important for educating more couples about getting assistance for infertility