Psychiatric morbidity among women with infertility in Pakistan: a cross-sectional survey

In this study of women seeking infertility treatment in Pakistan, there was variation in the proportion meeting diagnostic criteria in different settings (as measured by HADS and WHO SCAN). This variation is likely to be due to the markedly different communities accessing the particular setting as well as the quality of treatment or help provided. It was clear overall that repeated attempts to seek help and length of trying are associated with higher prevalence of depression in this population. It is essential to provide appropriate and affordable fertility treatment in all government hospitals to ameliorate the effects of prolonged treatments and time spent struggling to reach places offering medical fertility care, and to introduce the concept of mental healthcare at fertility clinics within these government hospitals. The high risk of depression among the lower income group shows that providing access to specialist care and assisted reproduction to poor patients is urgently needed.