Health promotion lifestyle and its influencing factors for women undergoing infertility treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the health promotion lifestyle and its influencing factors in women undergoing infertility treatment.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This study employed a cross-sectional survey to collect data from women undergoing infertility treatment at the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinic of a medical center in northern Taiwan. Data were collected from December 18, 2021, to March 13, 2023, including basic demographic information and the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile (HPLP). A total of 103 participants were included in the study.

RESULTS

The average score on the HPLP for participants was 65.28 (out of a total of 120). Among the six subscales, social support received the highest score, while exercise behavior received the lowest score. Factors significantly associated with the score included exercise habits, infertility-related stress, and occupation (F = 7.904, p < 0.001). Women who became pregnant after treatment exhibited better nutritional behaviors compared to those who did not conceive (2.08 ± 0.55 vs. 1.80 ± 0.58, p = 0.038). Women who did not become pregnant reported higher economic stress related to infertility treatment (t = 2.169, p < 0.05). Women who started treatment an average of 37 months after marriage experienced higher infertility treatment stress compared to those who sought treatment within 12 months of marriage (F = 3.342, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A health-promoting lifestyle should be included in the routine care guidelines for infertility treatment to enhance the chances of conception, particularly focusing on improving nutrition and increasing exercise.