Publication:

Fertility-related quality of life among women attending an infertility clinic in North India: a cross-sectional study

Background Infertility is a significant reproductive health problem that adversely affects the psychological and social well-being of women. Fertility-related quality of life is increasingly recognized as an important component of infertility care. However, limited data are available from North India regarding the quality of life among women seeking infertility treatment. The present study aimed to assess fertility-related quality of life among women attending an infertility clinic at a tertiary care centre in North India.

Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 145 women attending infertility clinics at King George’s Medical University, Lucknow. Women aged 18–40 years diagnosed with primary infertility were enrolled using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Fertility-related quality of life was assessed using the validated fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) scale comprising emotional, mind-body, relational, and social domains. Data were analysed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 24. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results The majority of participants were aged 26–30 years (50.3%) and had been undergoing infertility treatment for more than three years (55.1%). Poor quality of life was observed among 62.8% participants, while only 3.4% reported good quality of life. The emotional (63.4%), social (62.1%), and mind-body (60.7%) domains were the most adversely affected components of the FertiQoL scale. Poor quality of life was more common among women with prolonged treatment duration, inadequate emotional support, and higher treatment-related stress.

Conclusion Infertility has a substantial negative impact on FertiQoL, particularly in emotional and psychosocial domains. Integration of psychological counselling and supportive interventions within infertility care services may help improve the overall well-being of affected women.