Comparative Analysis of Psychiatric Morbidity of Women with Infertility and Those Attending Family Planning Clinic in a Tertiary Facility in North- East Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Infertility is a major life crisis often associated with mental health consequences. It is particularly relevant in African setting  including Nigeria where women are largely blamed for the cause of infertility with its attendant shame, guilt, anxiety and hopelessness.  

Objective: The aim of this comparative study was to assess and compare psychiatric morbidity of women with infertility and those who  attend family planning clinic.

Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done using consecutive sampling technique to  select 400 women in each group of those attending fertility and family planning clinics. Data were collected using semi-structured socio- demographic questionnaire, self-administered General Health Questionnaire-12 and Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Scale after  matching the groups by their age, marital status and years of education.

Results: The study found 37.6% of those who attend fertility  clinic to have met HADS cut off score for depression as against 6.8% of the family planning clinic attendees. Similarly, for anxiety subscale;  a high proportion of infertile group (40.3%) met anxiety cut off compared to those who attend family planning clinic. In the  same manner, attendees of the fertility clinic significantly experienced high rate of psychiatric morbidity (52.9) on the GHQ compared to  those attending family planning clinic (32%).

Conclusions: This study revealed that Nigerian infertile women seeking treatment are  exposed to several mental health consequences such as anxiety and Depression amongst others with devastating effects on the mental  health and well-being of the infertile women. Consequently, a comprehensive biopsychosocial intervention should be integrated into the  overall management of infertility to improve their quality of life and chances of conception.