The utilization of infertility services by infertile couples in Iranian infertility Clinics in 2012-2014

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the high prevalence of infertility and its impact on public health, it is needed to seriously plan for its issues. Therefore this study was performed was performed with aim to investigate the utilization of infertility services by infertile couples referred to the public and private infertility centers. Methods: This descriptive and analytic study was performed on 682 couples referred to the public and private infertility centers in 2012-2014. The subjects from 15 infertility centers of 9 provinces were selected through non-probability sampling method and were studied. Data collection tools were the researcher-made questionnaires to determine the utilization of infertility services by infertile couples and economic-social problems in the use of diagnostic or theraputic procedures. Data analysis was performed by SPSS software (version 21) and Chi-square and t-tests. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: 515 infertile couples (75.5%) reffered to a gynecologist for the first visit. 363 (53.2%) had a history of stopping therapy that economic factor was the most important reason for stopping treatment in 230 (61%). The second most common factor for stopping treatment was inaccessibility to the infertility centers in 113 (28.6%). Conclusion: Many diagnostic procedures and treatments suggested to the infertile couples are repeated as unnecessary. Also, regarding to the high rate of treatment discontinuation, attempts to access to full coverage insurance of infertility services and the standardization of infertility services can help to solve these problems.

Keywords

• diagnostic and treatment services
• infertility
• utilization of infertility services