[Self-care and demand for social support in women with infertility].
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of infertility among married couples is growing. It is estimated that every fifth married couple in Poland is infertile. Infertility is often a source of significant stress for the spouses. It is therefore important to provide professional support, demonstrate interest, listen to the problem, and be present in difficult moments. Social support considerably reduces the feeling of abandonment, fosters self-care, accelerates recovery, strengthens coping, and helps modify views and habits or attitudes towards treatment. The aim of this study was to assess self-care in women with infertility and to identify the most common sources of social support.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 100 women diagnosed or treated for infertility at the Department of Reproduction and Gynecology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin. The diagnostic poll was done with the aid of a standardised research tool--the Social Support Scale Questionnaire by Danuta Zarzycka. The study protocol was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Pomeranian Medical University. The study was performed between July 2005 and March 2007.


CONCLUSIONS
(1) Self-care in women with infertility is adequate. (2) Women with infertility usually expect professional support from a physician; the role of the nurse is undervalued. Thus, the role of the nurse and midwife needs further promotion.
Cwiek
Dorota
D
Samodzielna Pracownia Umiejetności Połozniczych Pomorskiej Akademii Medycznej w Szczecinie ul. Zołnierska 48, 71-210 Szczecin.
Branecka-Woźniak
Dorota
D
Fryc
Dorota
D
Grochans
Elzbieta
E
Rygielska
Magdalena
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support