An Exploratory Study on Treatment Seeking Behavior and Pathways of Care Followed by Couples Attending Infertility Clinic

Abstract

Objective: The main aim of present study was to explore the treatment seeking behavior and pathways of care followed by couples attending infertility clinic at a tertiary care center. Research design: The study adopted an exploratory research design. Using total enumeration technique a total of 40 infertile couples were interviewed using semistructured interview schedule. Results: Out of total, 82% couples visited 1–4 healthcare agencies before coming to a tertiary care center. Among all treatment settings and options, majority (62%) visited private health sector as first health agency. Based on first health agency visited a total of three care pathways were revealed with longest pathway comprised total of nine health agencies out of which four were private practitioners. Conclusion: The infertile couples try varied forms of treatments before reaching a tertiary center shuttling from one agency to another. This drains them of all hope and energy for successful treatment.