Latent profile analysis of fertility motivation in women with inflammatory bowel disease: a cross-sectional study

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) presents distinct reproductive challenges for women of childbearing age. This study aimed to utilize Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to identify fertility motivation latent profiles among women living with IBD. Additionally, it examined the associations between relevant variables and the identified latent profiles, with the goal of providing evidence to inform targeted nursing interventions. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May to October 2024. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling based on standardized inclusion and exclusion criteria. Female patients of childbearing age, diagnosed with IBD and attending a specialized IBD clinic at a tertiary-level general hospital in Shanghai, were selected. Data were collected using a self-designed General Data Questionnaire, the Family Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, Resolve Index (APGAR), the Positive Psychological Questionnaire (PPQ), and the Fertility Motivation Scale (FMS). LPA was employed to classify fertility motivation latent profiles. A multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the associations between relevant variables and latent profiles, with the findings presented as P-values, odds ratios ( ORs ) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs ). The study included a total of 312 valid participants, who exhibited an average fertility motivation score of 56.25 ± 17.62. Through LPA, four distinct fertility motivation latent profiles were identified: “Negative Avoidance Profile” (10.26%), “Hesitant and Observing Profile” (20.83%), “Rational Weighing Profile” (30.13%), and “Positive and Enterprising Profile” (38.78%). The multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations between age, disease duration (for Rational Weighing and Hesitant and Observing Profiles), previous successful childbearing experience, psychological capital, and family support and the different fertility motivation latent profiles (all P < 0.05). Notably, individuals with older age, longer disease duration, existing offspring, higher psychological capital scores, and enhanced family support scores were more likely to be categorized into “Rational Weighing Profile” and “Positive and Enterprising Profile”. Fertility motivation was moderately reduced among women living with IBD of childbearing age, with significant heterogeneity observed within the population. Healthcare providers are encouraged to develop targeted intervention strategies tailored to the diverse fertility motivation latent profiles, thereby promoting informed fertility decision-making and effective reproductive health management within this demographic.