Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: February | Volume: 7 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 287-293
Mental Health Status of Couples Suffering From Infertility at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kolkata
Shounak Biswas1, Avijit Paul2, Pankaj Kumar Mandal3, Nabanita Bhattacharyya4, Sumaiya Khatun1
1Post Graduate Trainee, 2Assistant Professor, 3Professor, 4Professor and Head,
Department of Community Medicine, Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital
Corresponding Author: Shounak Biswas
ABSTRACT
Background: Reproductive health is a priority global health area, with infertility being a critical component. Infertility leads to distress and depression. The mental health status may affect treatment and outcomes of infertility.
Objective: The study was conducted to determine the mental health status of the couples suffering from infertility, and to assess whether there was any association between the severity of anxiety, stress and depression, and the type and duration of infertility.
Methods: This was a hospital-based, cross-sectional study. 260 couples were interviewed over 3 months, satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study. DAS-21 scale was used to assess the mental health status of these couples.
Results: Depression was absent in half of the women. Almost all men and women had anxiety, with half having moderate to severe anxiety. Half the women were moderately stressed. Depression was present in 3 out of 5 men. 60% men had moderate levels of stress. The relationship between severity of anxiety in females and males, and the type of infertility was found to be significant. Relationship was also established between severity of anxiety, stress and depression and the duration of infertility.
Conclusions: A large proportion of patients were found to have anxiety, stress and depression. Mental health status of all infertile couples should be screened as a part of infertility management. Counseling and initiation of early treatment would help improve their mental health status.
Keywords: infertility, depression, anxiety, stress, DAS-21 scale, West Bengal
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