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Introduction <p>Infertility is a worldwide problem with severe psychological, social, marital, and individual consequences. By allowing couples to conceive biologically related children, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) give them new hope. However, cultural differences exist in how ART and infertility are seen and dealt with. This study aims to investigate the infertile individuals’ perception about ART and infertility-related stress, such as psychological strain that infertile couples endure, as well as the societal obstacles that prevent them from seeking ART.</p> Methodology <p>An observational cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2025. Data were collected using a pre-validated, self-administered questionnaire from infertile individuals attending the Pakistan Institute of Medical Science (PIMS) hospital and infertility clinics in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. A convenience sampling technique was employed to recruit 380 participants. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 30, employing both descriptive and inferential statistics, including Spearman’s correlation, the Chi-square test, and binary regression analysis.</p> Results <p>A total of 380 participants participated in the study. Among them, the majority (69.5%) were female (<i>n</i> = 264), and nearly half (49.5%) were between 35 and 45 years of age. Most participants, 92.9%, reported that they did not yet have children but planned to in the future, and 85.5% of participants had a relatively high awareness of ART. Overall, 62.9% of the participants demonstrated positive perceptions, whereas 57.1% reported experiencing a high level of stress. A statistically significant, negative correlation was observed between perception and stress (<i>r</i> = -0.196, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001). Chi-square analysis demonstrated that education, income, employment status, conception history, initiation of therapy, and ART awareness were significantly associated with perception and stress. Multivariable logistic regression further revealed that education, conception history, and ART awareness were independent predictors of these outcomes.</p> Conclusion <p>Our study highlights the need for comprehensive professional and public education initiatives to raise awareness and ensure a clear understanding of ART treatments. It also supports the idea that multidisciplinary support, along with organized counselling services, including the assistance of pharmacists with reproductive health training, might help infertile couples in Pakistan.</p>

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Perceptions of assisted reproductive technology and infertility stress in Pakistani couples: a cross-sectional study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月18日

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  • Wajeeha Ali,
  • Faiqa Imran,
  • Muhammad Amir Hamza,
  • Alishba Khan,
  • Faiz ur Rehman,
  • Zakir khan,
  • Sidra Kaleem

摘要

Introduction

Infertility is a worldwide problem with severe psychological, social, marital, and individual consequences. By allowing couples to conceive biologically related children, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) give them new hope. However, cultural differences exist in how ART and infertility are seen and dealt with. This study aims to investigate the infertile individuals’ perception about ART and infertility-related stress, such as psychological strain that infertile couples endure, as well as the societal obstacles that prevent them from seeking ART.

Methodology

An observational cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2025. Data were collected using a pre-validated, self-administered questionnaire from infertile individuals attending the Pakistan Institute of Medical Science (PIMS) hospital and infertility clinics in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. A convenience sampling technique was employed to recruit 380 participants. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 30, employing both descriptive and inferential statistics, including Spearman’s correlation, the Chi-square test, and binary regression analysis.

Results

A total of 380 participants participated in the study. Among them, the majority (69.5%) were female (n = 264), and nearly half (49.5%) were between 35 and 45 years of age. Most participants, 92.9%, reported that they did not yet have children but planned to in the future, and 85.5% of participants had a relatively high awareness of ART. Overall, 62.9% of the participants demonstrated positive perceptions, whereas 57.1% reported experiencing a high level of stress. A statistically significant, negative correlation was observed between perception and stress (r = -0.196, P < 0.001). Chi-square analysis demonstrated that education, income, employment status, conception history, initiation of therapy, and ART awareness were significantly associated with perception and stress. Multivariable logistic regression further revealed that education, conception history, and ART awareness were independent predictors of these outcomes.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the need for comprehensive professional and public education initiatives to raise awareness and ensure a clear understanding of ART treatments. It also supports the idea that multidisciplinary support, along with organized counselling services, including the assistance of pharmacists with reproductive health training, might help infertile couples in Pakistan.