Factors Related to the Depression of Infertile Women

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the socio-economic factors, infertile types, and characteristics influencing depression of infertile women who received treatment of ART(Assisted Reproduction Technologies) and to provide the information on evidence-based heath care programs for infertile women. This study collected data of 279 infertile women who visited medical clinics to receive the ART services from June to September, 2010 and members of self-help meeting of infertility. The results were as follows: Financial burden of medical treatment, relationship with husband and the number of frequency of IVF treatment were significant influencing factors, which explained 20.9% of the variance in depression among infertile women(p<.001). However, relationship with in-laws, duration of infertility since its diagnosis, and the origin or contributor to infertility were not significant factors affecting depression of infertile women. This study also found that emotional support program for infertile couples was one of factors relieving depression of infertile women. Thus, the depression care intervention should target first for the infertile women who were in low economic class or/and experienced with IVF over three times. The findings of this study suggest a paradigm shift from supporting one factor to considering various aspects simultaneously such as professional health care intervention, cost, and emotional care. Finally, this study suggests that infertility treatment services and ART need to be covered by the national health insurance program.