Infertility-related perceptions and responses and their associations with quality of life among rural chinese infertile couples

J Sex Marital Ther. 2008;34(3):248-67. doi: 10.1080/00926230701866117.

Abstract

An anonymous cross-sectional survey interviewed 192 infertile couples consulting a family planning clinic in rural China. Of them, over 30% believed that childless couples could not live well, 80% desired to have a child very badly, over 60% pressured themselves or spouse due to infertility, and over 50% felt pressured when having sex. Furthermore, 19.8% of men and 37.5% of women felt that infertility is humiliating for women. A multivariate analyses showed that a lower income, a worsened spousal relationship, infertility related perceptions, pressuring oneself or spouse due to infertility, and a strong desire for children were significantly associated with a lowered quality of life. Gender differences were also observed.

MeSH terms

  • China / epidemiology
  • Cultural Characteristics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infertility / ethnology*
  • Infertility / psychology
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Parenting / ethnology*
  • Parenting / psychology
  • Quality of Life*
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • Social Perception*
  • Social Values
  • Spouses / ethnology*
  • Spouses / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires