Perspectives and attitudes of Jordanian medical and paramedical students toward surrogate pregnancy

Abstract

Ayman G Mustafa,1,2 Karem H Alzoubi,3 Omar F Khabour,4 Mahmoud A Alfaqih2 1College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; 2Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan; 3Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan; 4Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan Purpose: This study aims at investigating the perspectives of Jordanian medical and paramedical students on surrogate pregnancy. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study design was used. The sample consisted of n=328 students of both genders. The questionnaire responses were numerically coded and analyzed across gender and the level of education. Results: Approximately, 18% of the students reported good awareness about the ethical dilemmas of surrogacy. The results showed a general reluctance to accept surrogate pregnancy as the majority (80.5% of male students and 97.6% of female students) had a negative attitude toward surrogacy. In addition, undergraduate students were less supportive to surrogate pregnancy than graduate students. Religious considerations were the main reason (accounts for about 70%) for driving negative attitude toward surrogacy. Conclusion: The findings of the study indicate a general reluctance toward accepting the concept of surrogate pregnancy, which is mainly due to religious reasons. Keywords: perspectives, attitudes, medical, students, paramedical, surrogate pregnancy

Keywords

• Perspectives
• attitudes
• medical
• students
• paramedical
• surrogate pregnancy