Consequences of infertility in developing countries

Creating offspring is the most cherished achievements and joys for every mankind. This is especially true in developing countries, where having children is considered to make life complete and meaningful. Likewise, offspring are very important to Vietnamese couples, their future depends on children. Therefore, a research study was done in the South of Vietnam to improve knowledge about the potentially serious implications of infertility. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data to explore the psychological, socio-cultural and economic consequences of infertility on couples life.

The findings of this study showed that both men and women had same opinion in their responses and attitudes towards infertility. The interviewed participants mentioned that they had experienced secrecy, social pressure and economic hardship. About one-third of the participants had required psychological support.

The study basically concludes by emphasizing the importance of psychological counseling in the treatment of infertile couples in the South of Vietnam, which can very well be applied to other countries as well.  It should be realized that in developing countries infertility causes distressing social and economical burden which needs attention.

Reference: Nicole, J Wiersema., Anouck, J Drukker., Mai Ba, Tien Dung., Giang Huynh, Nhu., Nguyen Thanh, Nhu., and Cornelis, B Lambalk. 2006. Consequences of infertility in developing countries: results of a questionnaire and interview survey in the South of Vietnam, Journal of Translational Medicine 4:54.

 

Infertility: Effects on marital relationship and quality of life

A study conducted in Turkey determined that infertility and its treatment has negative effects on marital relationship and quality of life among infertile couples. As in many countries Turkey also considers having a child bring status to women. In this study data were collected by interviewing 16 people who received successful infertility treatment.

The study findings determined that infertility and its treatment has negative effects on marital relationship and quality of life. However these effects varied depending on the stage of infertility process, gender, and the quality of the relationship.

Regardless, of which gender experienced infertility it was identified that it brought along many problems. The negative effects on quality of life  expressed were unhappiness, stress, sorrow, insomnia, increase and decrease in appetite, increased smoking habit, social stigmatization, being exposed to curious questions about having a child and avoiding being in places with children. The negative effects of infertility and its treatment on marital relationship mentioned were losing privacy of sexual life, having sexual intercourse in a planned way solely for the purpose of reproduction not of pleasure, deterioration in family relations, interruption in work life, and high cost of treatment expenses.

This study aimed to provide perspective and insight into the issue of infertility and its effects on marital relationship (MR) and Quality of Life (QOL). The findings from this study would be informative and beneficial for researchers and provide medical professionals with infertility related literature and qualitative studies. The findings also provide an insight into the psycho-social effect of infertility. Therefore, based on these finding couples seeking infertility treatment should also be provided with relationship counseling, couple support in their treatment strategy.

Reference: Güliz Onat and Nezihe Kizilkaya Beji. (2011). Marital Relationship and Quality of Life among Couples with Infertility. Sexuality and Disability, 30 (1):39-52.