Quality of Life among Men and Women Diagnosed with Infertility in Khyber, Pakhtunkhwa

Background: Infertility is a sensitive global issue, characterized by a couple's inability to conceive or maintain a pregnancy. Infertility is classified into two types: primary infertility, where a couple has never achieved pregnancy, and secondary infertility, where a couple cannot conceive or maintain a pregnancy after engaging in unprotected intercourse. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life among men and women diagnosed with infertility in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Methodology: The study used a cross-sectional design and was conducted in outpatient clinics in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with a sample of infertile individuals (n=377). Quality of life among infertile couples was assessed using the standardized FERTIQOL instrument, with additional variables relevant to the study context. Results: The results showed that the average quality of life score for infertile couples was 63.84 out of a possible 120. According to the FERTIQOL assessment, the emotional wellbeing score was low at 14.29, and the mind-body score was also poor at 15.49. The relational score, at 18, was considered average, while the social domain score of 16.05 indicated a poor quality of life. The study also examined associations between quality of life and various sociodemographic factors, including age, gender, education, income, and type of infertility. Although most of these variables were not statistically significant, gender and education were found to be significantly associated with quality of life, with p-values of 0.00 and 0.16, respectively. Conclusion: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that infertile couples experience a low quality of life.