A study on fertility quality of life of couples attending infertility clinic of a teaching institution of New Delhi.

Abstract

Background: There are 48 million couples, and 186 million individuals live with infertility globally. Dealing with infertility and its treatment can negatively influence the couple's psycho-social well-being and interpersonal relationships, which in turn affects their fertility quality of life. Most of the studies have focused on the fertility quality of life of women suffering from infertility and very few studies have seen the impact of infertility on fertility quality of life in men.

Objective: To assess the fertility quality of life of the couples attending infertility clinic of a tertiary healthcare institution of New Delhi.

Materials and methods: Couples attending infertility clinic of Smt. Sucheta Kriplani Hospital (SSKH), New Delhi were included. The study period was from January 2021 to December 2021. Written informed consent was taken from study subjects. A semi-structured, self-designed interview schedule was used to collect information from study subjects. FertiQoL questionnaire was used to assess subjects' fertility quality of life.

Results: Mean total score of fertility quality of life was better among husbands (57.19 ± 8.22) as compared to wives (51.30 ± 8.69). Fertility quality of life was found to be better in wives and husbands suffering from secondary infertility. Fertility quality of life was highest in wives and husbands belonging to upper class.

Conclusion: In general, fertility quality of life was better in, husbands as compared to wives, wives and husbands who are suffering with secondary infertility and wives and husbands belonging to higher socio-economic status.