Depression among women with infertility versus pregnant women at General Hospital Ilorin: A comparative analytical study.

Abstract

Objectives: Infertility is associated with emotional distress because of the pressure placed on the couples, especially women, in sub-Saharan Africa. The study found the prevalence of depression and associated factors among women attending infertility clinics and compared them with pregnant women at antenatal clinics.Methods: The study was a comparative analytical study consisting of 199 respondents with infertility and a control group of 200 pregnant women. General Health Questionnaire 12 was administered to both groups, and respondents that scored 3 points and above were administered the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview questionnaire (MINI) to make the diagnosis of depression and data were analysed.Results: The prevalence of depression among the case group was 52.0%, while the control was 9.5%. Factors associated with depression were longer duration of the marriage and women with utero-tubal infertility.Conclusion: Depression is common among women with infertility when compared with pregnant women.