Comparison of Quality of Life among Fertile and Infertile Women in a Developing Country

Background: Infertility is seen as embarrassment for couple who are willing and unable to fulfill the conjugal responsibility expected by the society. Most women bear the brunt with consequences of worsening lifestyle. The objective of this study is to evaluate the quality of life (Qol) and its associated factors among women living with infertility compared to control group.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-six (156) women attending the infertility clinic and 155 fertile women as a control group. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed to record socio-demographic and social variables. The World Health Organization Brief Quality of Life (WHOQol BREF) questionnaire was used to assess the Quality of life (Qol) of life of study participants.

Results: A higher proportion of Women living with infertility (WLI) had overall poor Qol (22.4%) compared to the control (11.6 %). WLI had significantly lower mean scores on the physical (t = –2.859, p = 0.005), psychological (t= – 3.085, p = 0.002), social relationship (t= –2.576,p = 0.010) domain of the Qol scales. Predictors of Qol include lack of good shelter, unemployment, relational stress (marital and sexual) impaired quality of the relationship between couple, and being deprived of involvement in community activities (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Infertility contributes to poor quality of life among infertile women when compared to control groups.