Psychological Stress and associated factors among Infertile Women seeking treatment at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College Michu clinic in Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Infertility and infertility induced psychological stress are the major reproductive health problem that women across the globe are facing. The problem is more pronounced in developing countries. In Ethiopia, this is coupled with the scarcity of specialized fertility treatment centers which provide treatment and care for infertility. There is limited knowledge regarding the psychological stress experienced by infertile women in Ethiopia, particularly among infertile women seeking treatment from specialized infertility treatment centers. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the level of psychological stress and its associated factors among infertile women seeking treatment at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College Michu clinic. Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted among 94 infertile women seeking treatment for infertility at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Ethiopia from March 01-30/ 2024 by using consecutive sampling technique. Data were collected using interviewer administered questionnaire by using Kobo Tool Box and collected data were exported to STATA Version16 for analysis. Frequencies and percentages were used for categorical variables and mean and standard deviation for continuous variables. Binary logistic regression analysis model was run to identify important predictors. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval was estimated to identify the strength of association. Statistical significance was declared at p-value 0.05. Results: The proportion of infertile women who reported experiencing higher level of psychological stress was 43% (95% CI 33.24%, 53.34%). Infertile women from rural area [AOR=34.00 (95%CI: 2.55, 452.444)], higher income [0.18= (95%CI: 0.04, 0.80)], those who did not have thyroid disease [AOR =0.05, (95% CI: 0.004, 0.62)] were factors significantly associated with psychological stress. Conclusions: The prevalence of psychological stress was high among infertile women seeking treatment in the study facility. Infertility induced psychological stress was found to show variation by place of residence, income level and having the condition of thyroid. Activities and efforts targeting on rural residents which improve women economic empowerment and availing screening services for comorbidities such as Thyroid are hoped to address the growing problem of infertility. Creating awareness that the problem of infertility is treatable and equipping women with strategies and skills to cope with the pressure from significant others around them. The other implication of the study Miichu clinic workers need to screen for and provide counseling for clients coming for infertility care and support on infertility related psychosocial stress including linking with psychologists and psychiatrist so that they can get emotional care and support.