Determination Infertility-Related Stress Among Women Attending an Infertility Center: A Cross-Sectional Study

Infertility is a difficult experience that can greatly impact a woman's mental, emotional, and thus, physical wellbeing. The study aimed to assess the infertility-related stress among women attending an infertility center and the associated socio-demographic characteristics. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at Kamal Al-Samarrai Hospital for Fertility and Infertility in Baghdad from November 2023 to November 2024 to investigate infertility-related stress among 385 women diagnosed with infertility. Data were collected through interviews using the modified infertility-related stress questionnaire, and validity and reliability were established through expert ratings and a pilot study. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 20.0, employing techniques such as Pearson correlation, Regression, and Kruskal-Wallis assessments. The results indicate that the majority (97.1%) reported moderate infertility-related stress, with an average stress rating of 92.96. An inverse relationship was observed between age and infertility-related stress, indicating that stress tends to decrease with age (r= -0.151, P=0.003). Additionally, a statistical analysis showed that infertility-related stress levels differed significantly based on education level (P=0.010) and monthly income (P=0.016). The study found mild stress among women with infertility, especially younger, less educated, and lower-income women. The study recommends less expensive counseling, advanced fertility resources, and public awareness to reduce stigma and help affected women improve their health.