COVID-19 and assisted reproductive technologies: a doctoral research reflection during lockdown [Blog post]

‘Mother or nothing: The agony of Infertility‘ is the World Health Organization’s motto that prompted me to focus my doctoral research on assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) specifically on the treatment of infertility in Guatemala (in the top 48 nations offering ARTs).
I initiated the first systematic research on the behaviour and consequences of ARTs on two distinct and highly diverse ethnic groups in Guatemala, namely the Maya and the Ladinos. The Maya are indigenous natives who maintain stronger links with their traditions and cultural beliefs, in particular with family planning. Ladinos, in contrast, have more Westernised beliefs in all aspects of their life including ARTs. I conducted a quasi-experimental survey in 2018 on 181 people in Guatemala (Maya and Ladino) and found that there are indeed differences between the Maya and Ladinos in their perceptions and their approach to ARTs. [...]