PREVALENCE OF ANXIETY DISORDERS, DEPRESSION AND RELATED FACTORS AMONG INFERTILE WOMEN

Abstract

Background: According to the World Health Organization, anxiety disorders and depression are the most prevalent mental disorders worldwide, imposing a significant burden on society. Women have higher rates of anxiety disorders and depression compared to men. Infertility is a global health concern, affecting approximately 12% of couples in reproductive age. Infertility can lead to anxiety disorders, stress, and depression, impaired quality of life, and its effects may persist even after infertility is resolved.

Objectives: This study aims to determine the prevalence of anxiety disorders, depression and related factors among female infertility patients at My Duc Hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 1028 female patients with primary infertility who visited My Duc Hospital from October 2020 to December 2020. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, and data on infertility were extracted from medical records. Anxiety disorders were assessed using the GAD-7 scale, and depression was assessed using the PHQ-9 scale.

Results: The prevalence of anxiety disorder, as measured by the GAD-7 scale with a cut-off score of 10, was 7.7% [95% CI: 6.2–9.5]. The prevalence of depression, as measured by the PHQ-9 scale with a cut-off score of 10, was 9.5% [95% CI: 7.9–11.5]. Anxiety disorder was significantly associated with husbands aged 21-30 and social stigma related to infertility. Depression was significantly associated with the emotional support from husbands, female patients who have undergone IUI and the female patients have a history of untreated depression.

Conclusion: Female patients experiencing infertility require increased attention to their mental health, particularly those facing social stigma related to infertility, whose husbands aged 21-30 years, the emotional support from husbands, have undergone IUI and have a history of untreated depression.

Keywords: infertility; anxiety disorder; depression; PHQ-9; GAD-7