Quality of life and its correlates among a group of infertile Iranian women.
BACKGROUND
Despite a high epidemiological burden, data concerning the impact of infertility on quality of life are controversial in western countries and little information is available for eastern countries. The aim of this study was to investigate women's health-related quality of life and its correlates in a group of infertile Iranian women.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, women who visited the Majidi Infertility Center in Tabriz either for treatment or for basic examinations were studied. Structured and measurement-specific questionnaires for health-related quality of life and some psychological aspects of infertility were adapted from previous studies. The data were entered into a computer and statistically analyzed.


RESULTS
Twelve percent of the women seeking infertility treatment had poor and nearly half had good quality of life. No correlation was found between quality of life and age, length of married life, type of infertility, or length of time seeking treatment. There was a strong inverse correlation between irrational parenthood cognitions and quality of life. Economic pressure and psychological pressure from the community and family were inversely correlated with quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the roles of irrational parenthood cognitions as well as community and family pressure on quality of life among infertile women, it appears vital to plan psychological consultations and educational programs both for infertile couples and their close relatives.
Aliyeh
Ghasemzad
G
Majidi Infertility Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Laya
Farzadi
F
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012923:Social Class; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires