Psychological, Psychosocial and Economic Factors Affecting Infertile Couples Visiting a Rural Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Infertility is a complex health issue with psychological, social and economic implications, particularly in rural and traditional communities.

AIM: To evaluate the psychological, psychosocial and economic factors influencing infertile couples attending a tertiary care hospital.

SETTINGS AND

DESIGN

Cross-sectional observational study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at a tertiary care hospital in South India.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A total of 175 couples with primary infertility were assessed using the following validated tools - anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale), depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale), social support (Multidimensional scale of perceived social support), global life satisfaction (Satisfaction with life scale) and socioeconomic status (SES) through Modified BG Prasad classification (2024).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Data were analysed using SPSS version 23.0. Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and independent t-test were used; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Mean age was 26.9 ± 4.7 years for females and 28.5 ± 3.6 years for males. Moderate-to-severe anxiety was seen in 17.7% and moderate depression in 10% of women. Women showed significantly higher anxiety (P < 0.001) and similar rates of depression compared to men. High family support (60.6%) and better SES correlated positively with life satisfaction (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Infertility affects psychological and social well-being, particularly in women. Family support and socioeconomic stability are key determinants of better life satisfaction. Psychosocial support should be integrated into infertility care, especially in rural settings.