The Association Between Stigma with Women's Demographic and Obstetrical Characteristics in the Infertility Clinic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Infertile women frequently experience challenges to their core feminine identity, resulting in feelings of inferiority and stigma on a global scale. Various factors influence women's perceptions of infertility stigma; however, the relationship between these factors and the perception of infertility stigma remains inadequately understood. Objectives: This study aims to determine the association between stigma and the demographic and obstetric characteristics of infertile women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 270 infertile women who sought treatment at the Akbarabadi Infertility Center in Tehran, Iran, from 2021 to 2022. A convenience sampling method was employed. Data were collected using the Infertility Stigma Scale (ISS), alongside personal and obstetric characteristics. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, and median, were computed. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, along with linear regression analysis, were performed using Stata version 14. Results: The median score for total infertility stigma was 40 (IQR = 88). Among the components of infertility stigma, social stigma scored the lowest (median = 7, IQR = 18), while general stigma scored the highest (median = 13, IQR = 31). The perception of infertility stigma exhibited a statistically significant relationship with economic status (B = -21.09, P = 0.01, CI: -23.7, -3.4), underlying disorders (B = -107.11, P = 0.01, CI: -120, -0.2), and women's employment (B = -5, P = 0.06, CI: -9.3, -3). Approximately 11% of the variance in infertility stigma could be attributed to the independent variables of employment status, economic conditions, and underlying disorders. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that addressing underlying medical conditions, enhancing economic status, and facilitating suitable employment opportunities for infertile women may contribute to a reduction in the stigma associated with infertility.