title: An evaluation of the effect of infertility on marital, sexual satisfaction indices and health-related quality of life in women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of infertility on marital and sexual functioning, health-related quality of life (QoL) and the acceptability of the treatment modalities is a poorly researched area in India.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To measure and compare the impact of infertility on marital adjustment, sexual functioning, QoL and the acceptability of various treatment modalities in infertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospital-based cross-sectional controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data regarding infertility, socio-demographic characteristics and treatment acceptability was obtained via a semi-structured questionnaire. validated, standardized scales were used to measure marital adjustment (abbreviated dyadic adjustment scale), sexual functioning (abbreviated sexual functioning questionnaire) in cases and controls, and quality of life (FertiQol) in cases. Data from 106 women attending tertiary infertility centers who met the definition of primary infertility and 212 controls attending the medical outpatient department in the same centers was obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Body mass index and socioeconomic status were significant (P < 0.006 and < 0.0001 respectively) for infertility. Fertility-enhancing regimens and adoption had the highest acceptability with a wide dispersion of range for adoption and least acceptance for sperm, egg, embryo donation and surrogate motherhood. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant effect size of infertility on marital adjustment (Nagelkerke R(2) 0.725, Cohen's D 0.86) and sexual functioning (Nagelkerke R(2) 0.73, Cohen's D 0.815). QoL showed a decrease in mean scores on the FertiQol scale similar to normative data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Effective counseling, reassurance and measures to reduce the impact of the condition on marital and sexual life, overall QoL are needed to impart a holistic treatment in infertility.
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagnur, Karimnagar, Andra Pradesh, India.
authors: Sameer
authors: S
authors: Valsangkar
authors: Trupti
authors: T
authors: Bodhare
authors: Samir
authors: S
authors: Bele
authors: Surendranath
authors: S
authors: Sai