Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Infertility is a significant public health issue that affected many individuals globally. Certainly, it is not only a disease of reproductive system but it frequently resulting in negative sequels, which may impair the quality of life. It has been linked to several mental health disorders. This study aims to explore the psychological consequences of infertility among Malaysian infertile men and women. METHODS: This qualitative study was done in the fertility clinic of 'National Population and Family Development Board' (LPPKN), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The respondents were 17 men and women affected by primary and secondary infertility with no surviving children in 2016 and were purposefully selected via maximum variation sampling. Seventeen in-depth interviews were carried out using semi-structured interview guide. The data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: The study found that infertile individuals experienced negative psychological sequels of infertility including the occurrence of mental health ailments. The findings of this study include eight main themes which are: 1) Grief, sadness and disappointment. 2) Inferiority complex and low self-esteem. 3) Self- blame. 4) Anger. 5) Stress. 6) Anxiety. 7) Depression. 8) Suicidal behaviour. These may reduce the quality of life of infertile individuals. Most infertile individuals had negative psychological consequences that usually progressively worsen over time. Our society perception that highly appreciate parenthood aggravated the problem. DISCUSSION: This study revealed that Malaysian infertile men and women experienced numerous psychological consequences with devastating effect on mental health. Thus, this study may facilitate fertility facilities to strategize and redesign better intervention for the infertile individuals.
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@proceedings{APCPH-2019-253,
title = {Psychological Consequences of Infertility Among Malaysian Infertile Men and Women: A Qualitative Study},
author = {Noor Izni Mohamed Shapie and Nik Daliana Nik Farid},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-07-22},
urldate = {2019-07-22},
journal = {6th Asia-Pacific Conference on Public Health 2019 Proceedings},
issue = {6},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Infertility is a significant public health issue that affected many individuals globally. Certainly, it is not only a disease of reproductive system but it frequently resulting in negative sequels, which may impair the quality of life. It has been linked to several mental health disorders. This study aims to explore the psychological consequences of infertility among Malaysian infertile men and women. METHODS: This qualitative study was done in the fertility clinic of 'National Population and Family Development Board' (LPPKN), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The respondents were 17 men and women affected by primary and secondary infertility with no surviving children in 2016 and were purposefully selected via maximum variation sampling. Seventeen in-depth interviews were carried out using semi-structured interview guide. The data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: The study found that infertile individuals experienced negative psychological sequels of infertility including the occurrence of mental health ailments. The findings of this study include eight main themes which are: 1) Grief, sadness and disappointment. 2) Inferiority complex and low self-esteem. 3) Self- blame. 4) Anger. 5) Stress. 6) Anxiety. 7) Depression. 8) Suicidal behaviour. These may reduce the quality of life of infertile individuals. Most infertile individuals had negative psychological consequences that usually progressively worsen over time. Our society perception that highly appreciate parenthood aggravated the problem. DISCUSSION: This study revealed that Malaysian infertile men and women experienced numerous psychological consequences with devastating effect on mental health. Thus, this study may facilitate fertility facilities to strategize and redesign better intervention for the infertile individuals.},
note = {Type: POSTER PRESENTATION; Organisation: Family Health Development Unit, Miri Divisional Health Office, Ministry of Health, Malaysia, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia},
keywords = {Infertility, Mental health, psychological},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {proceedings}
}