Fertility-related quality of life among women in infertility care

Abstract

Introduction: One in six people will experience some form of infertility problem in their lifetime. The condition of infertility can have a significant impact on quality of life, and the condition of people struggling with infertility can affect their personal well-being, social life, and physical and mental well-being. The aim of our research is to explore the quality of life of patients with infertility and the characteristics of their use of private care in addition to publicly funded comprehensive care. 

Method: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using online data collection and recruitment in social media groups. The target population is women who have received fertility treatment, who have had public or private infertility screening and are currently undergoing treatment or screening. The questionnaire was completed by 129 respondents, with a sample size after exclusion criteria (single, currently pregnant) of n=120. The standardised, validated Fertility-related Quality of Life (FertiQoL) questionnaire, available in Hungarian, was used to measure quality of life, supplemented with sociodemographic factors and questions on infertility screening, treatment and attitudes towards the form of financing. 

Results: Quality of life scores on the main dimension of FertiQoL (Total FertiQoL) were 57.49±15.51, with the lowest score on the emotional subscale (48.30±19.37) and the highest score on the relationship subscale (77.26±15.97). Among the sociodemographic characteristics, educational attainment was negatively correlated (0.001<p<0.037), while age (p=0.027) and general quality of life (0.001<p<0.038) were positively correlated with each dimension of fertility-related quality of life. Quality of life associated with infertility is differentiated by the stage of the treatment process (0.014<p<0.028). In addition to public care, 91% of respondents use private care. 

Conclusion: Among sociodemographic characteristics, education is negatively correlated with fertility-related quality of life, while age and general quality of life are positively correlated and differentiated according to the stage of the treatment process. Private clinic services are relevant for the target population mainly because of their availability and faster turnaround time.