Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (Apr 2016)

Assessing the quality of life of infertile Chinese women: a cross-sectional study

  • Su Xiaoli,
  • Li Mei,
  • Bao Junjun,
  • Ding Shu,
  • Wei Zhaolian,
  • Wang Jin,
  • Quan Ju,
  • Sun Wanli,
  • Zhao Huali,
  • Jin Li,
  • Li Dong,
  • Pan Li,
  • He Xiaojin

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjog.2015.06.014
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 55, no. 2
pp. 244 – 250

Abstract

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Objective: To assess QoL of infertile Chinese women and determine the specific factors adversely affecting QoL for improving the care and treatment compliance of infertile women. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on a randomized, demographically matched, controlled population of infertile married Chinese women to determine their demographic, menstrual, family stress, and infertility characteristics and then applied the World Health Organization QoL Instrument (WHOQOL-100) to determine which factors would be associated with significant QoL differences between infertile women and their demographically matched fertile controls. Results: Infertile women showed lower QoL scores in the facets of spirituality/religion/personal beliefs, self-esteem, financial resources, and accessibility to and quality of health and social care, as well as increased pain and discomfort, while also experiencing positive QoL adjustments in terms of mobility, daily living activities, work capacity, sexual activity, freedom, physical safety, security, and transport. Conclusion: Married infertile Chinese women had significantly lower overall and comprehensive QoL scores, as well as higher anxiety scores, compared with fertile controls.

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