Bena Chobiu Mark Totuliano

Abstract

Infertility-related distress is generated not only by clinical uncertainty but also by family expectations, community stigma, religious meaning and the social value attached to parenthood. Psychoeducation confined to fertility clinics may therefore reach only part of the environment in which couples live. This article examined evidence from couples in Juba, South Sudan, to identify the rationale, content and safeguards for family-, community- and faith-based psychoeducation. Methods: A focused mixed methods secondary analysis was undertaken using the doctoral study’s analytical database of 100 individual participants drawn from a couple-based sampling framework. Quantitative evidence included religious affiliation, social-context psychosocial domains, family financial support, and psychoeducation indicators. Qualitative evidence examined stigma, cultural explanations, communication, social support, community awareness and faith-linked coping. Results: Family and community stigma constituted the most prominent psychosocial domain (M = 3.95, SD = 0.72), with 81% of participants coded at high or very high intensity. Cultural pressure was also high (M = 3.62, SD = 0.93). Psychoeducation for communication/support was rated highly (M = 3.80, SD = 1.22), whereas correcting myths and community misconceptions was moderate (M = 3.36, SD = 0.70). Qualitative coding identified community awareness in 43 responses and communication and support in 72 responses. Participants explicitly called for awareness in the family, church and community and referred to social support networks, counselling and church activities. The sample was 78% Christian and 22% Muslim, indicating the relevance of faith-sensitive delivery without supporting any causal comparison between religious groups. Regular family financial support was associated with lower distress, χ²(1) = 5.876, p = .015, Cramér’s V = .242. Conclusion: The findings support extending infertility-related psychoeducation in Juba beyond the clinic through carefully designed family sessions, community education and collaboration with responsible faith leaders. Such expansion must preserve consent, confidentiality, gender equity, medical accuracy and clear referral pathways. Faith engagement should support coping and care, not reinforce blame, promise pregnancy or substitute for medical and psychological assessment.

Keywords: infertility; psychoeducation; family; community; faith; stigma; South Sudan; Juba; psychosocial care; reproductive health.

Download the pdf fileBeyond the Clinic: Family, Community and Faith-Based Psychoeducation for Infertility Care in South Sudan