Impact of in Vitro Fertilization (IVF) on Women’s Quality of Life: FertiQoL Questionnaire Validation Study
Keywords:
IVF, Infertility, FertiQoL score, Lebanese women, Quality of lifeAbstract
Infertility presents a significant global challenge, with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) emerging as a widely employed intervention. Women undergoing infertility treatments often face considerable physical and psychological obstacles; however, the factors influencing their quality of life remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to assess the fertility-related quality of life among Lebanese women undergoing IVF and to identify the factors affecting it. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to September 2023, targeting women undergoing IVF across Lebanon via snowball technique. The survey collected demographic information and treatment details, utilizing several validated instruments, including the Fertility Quality of Life Scale (FertiQoL), the Couple Satisfaction Index (CSI-4), the WHO-5 Wellbeing Index, and the Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9). A General Linear Model was employed to identify predictors of fertility quality of life.A total of 403 women participated in the survey. The mean FertiQoL score was 61.98 (SD = 21.15). The average scores for the CSI-4 and WHO-5 were 10.15 (SD = 5.76) and 11.15 (SD = 6.56), respectively, while the mean PDRQ-9 score was 29.33 (SD = 8.50). The General Linear Model identified several risk factors associated with diminished fertility quality of life, including prolonged duration of infertility, childlessness, social stigma, being underweight, and lack of income.Conversely, male factor infertility, sedentary occupational status, and culturally supportive beliefs regarding IVF correlated with improved FertiQoL scores. Notably, the CSI-4 and WHO-5 scores were significantly positively associated with FertiQoL. This study indicates that Lebanese women undergoing IVF generally report an acceptable quality of life. Various factors influence this quality of life, and the FertiQoL measurement tool demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.949). Further research with larger sample sizes is necessary to validate these findings and enhance understanding of the complex interplay of factors affecting women's quality of life during IVF treatment.
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