Frequency of Infertility & Its Impact on Quality of Life among the Womenof Reproductive Age in Public and Private Hospitals of Rawalakot Azad Kashmir

Abstract

Background: This research aimed to access the frequency of infertility and its consequent impact on the quality of life (QOL) among women of reproductive age in both public and private hospitals in Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir. Given the substantial impact of infertility on well-being, understanding these dynamics is critical for enhancing healthcare support in this region. Methods: Employing a cross-sectional design, the study surveyed 170 married women diagnosed with infertility from October 2023 to March 2024. Data was collected through a modified questionnaire based on the Fertility Quality of Life (FertiQOL) and WHOQOL-BREF tools. Statistical analyses involved descriptive statistics (Frequency, Percentages, Mean, and Standard Deviation) in outlining key demographic data and inferential statistics (Kruskal Wallis and MannWhitney) for the association between dependent and independent variables. Results: In this study, the most common demographic among the respondents was women aged 30-39 years, making up 45.3% of the participants, all of whom were married. Significant variations in the quality of life were observed with respect to the duration of marriage and educational attainment, with notable statistical significance (p=0.00 for both). For occupational status and monthly income, psychological health scores differed significantly (p=0.001 for occupation, p=0.002 for income), indicating that these socioeconomic factors play critical roles in influencing quality of life among the studied population. Geographic location did not show a statistically significant impact on quality of life (p > 0.05). Frequency of infertility in women in public and private hospitals of Rawalakot is 21.25 % in which primary infertility is 18.75% and secondary infertility is 2.50%. Conclusion: The study highlights that infertility significantly impacts women's physical, mental, and social well-being, with improvements in coping seen in older, educated, and longer-married women. It suggests expanding research and enhancing support systems to improve healthcare for infertile women in under-researched areas like Rawalakot. Keyword: Infertility, Women, Quality of life, Rawalakot Azad Kashmir