A Comparative Study of Depression among Fertile and Infertile Women in a South-Western Nigerian City

Abstract

Background: Studies have identified a high prevalence of depression among women with infertility; few studies have explored this association in this environment.
Aims and objectives: the study is aimed at evaluating depression in a group of infertile women; compare the prevalence of depression among this group with prevalence among a control group of fertile women, and to identify demographic characteristics associated with depression in infertile women.
Method: One hundred (n=100) infertile women and one hundred and three (n=103) fertile women as controls were recruited for the study. They were assessed with a socio-demographic questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire-30 (GHQ-30) and a clinical interview with depression module of the Structure Clinical Interview Schedule for axis I DSM-IV.
Results: The prevalence of depression among infertile women was 32 percent compared with 10.7 percent among the controls. Among the infertile women that were depressed there was a significant association between depression and belonging to a polygamous family with more than one co wife, menstrual abnormalities, primary infertility.
Conclusion: The infertile women are vulnerable group to depression and will require psychological support.