Depression in women undergoing infertility treatment: A clinic-based study in Kerala, India.

Abstract

Background: In a country such as India, for a woman to be socially acceptable, she should be able to bring forth an offspring of her own. The inability to have offspring is a devastating experience for a couple as a dyad. Infertility, and its perceived undesirability, upsets women’s lives in physical, mental, emotional, financial, social, and spiritual aspects. Anxiety and depression are the two major psychological disturbances reported to be prevalent among infertile women.

Aim: The study aimed to assess the level of depression in childless women undergoing infertility treatment.

Setting and Design: A total of 253 women undergoing infertility treatment in a tertiary care hospital in Pattambi, Palakkad District, Kerala from January 2016 to December 2019 were included in this study. The research is a cross-sectional study.

Methods and Material: Beck Depression Inventory and socio-demographic data forms were used as tools.

Statistical Analysis Used: Frequency and percentages were used for the analysis of descriptive data, and the Spearman correlation test was used for quantitative analysis.

Results: This study found that depression was seen in 43.87% of women who participated in the study. Women who had 3–5 years of married life showed higher levels of depression than other groups.

Conclusion: Infertile women have significant levels of depression, and this fact requires consideration in the management of infertility