Perceptions of infertile couples to assisted reproductive techniques

Infertility treatment influences significantly not only the couples’ quality of life but also their psychology separately. Aim: The aim of the present study was to explore perceptions of infertility couples in regard to assisted reproductive techniques. Method and material: The sample study consisted of 110 infertile couples that seek medical help to a Center of Assisted Reproductive Techniques. A specially designed questionnaire was used for the needs of the survey, that included items related to the perceptions of infertile couples. Statistical analysis was performed by the statistical package SPSS-13. Results: Οf the 110 studied infertile couples, 44,3% followed (IVF) In Vitro Fertilization method, 37,8% artificial Insemination, 14,1% (ICSI) Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, 3,1% donor insemination and 0,7% (GIFT) Gamete Intra – Fallopian Transfer. In regard to factors that make difficult the decision to choose Assisted Reproductive Techniques, in 27,3% of the participants was the side effects deriving from therapy, in 22,7% the cost, in 7,3% the attitude of the environment, in 10,0% the psychological and in 4,5% the religious factor. The 73,6% of the studied sample reported that they would try again to have a child even if the previous effort was successful and the 94,5% reported that they would try again even if the previous effort was not successful. Regarding what they had the intention to sacrifice of their life to the birth of a child, the 58,3% reported that they would sacrifice “everything”, the 14,5% free-time, the 4,5% the entertainment, the 3,6% occupation, the 2,7% athletics and the 16,4% would sacrifice nothing. The 73,6% of the couples that had undergone an Assisted Reproductive Techniques, received no psychological support, while 26,4% received. Τhe 55,4% reported that they desired the presence of their spouse during the procedures of medical treatment, the 36,4% in some of them and the 8,2% in every medical process. The 61,8% of the studied sample reported that would accept have sperm donation and the 68,2% egg donation. Conclusions: The development of consultation is necessary for the infertile couples receiving assisted reproductive technologies

Keywords: infertility, perceptions, assisted reproductive technologies