Socioeconomic impact of assisted reproductive technology cycles in a low income country

 

Objective:

Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of the assisted reproductive technology (ART) process on couple’s socioeconomic status.

Design:

It was a monocentric, prospective, and observational study.

Method:

Our study was conducted in a Tunisian ART center, over a period of two months. It included married heterosexual couples who were undergoing an ART cycle and agreed to fill in our questionnaire.

Results:

We included 50 couples in our study. About half of them (40%) were experiencing infertility for more than two years.

The impact on social life was significant for 70% of the patients included. Half of the couples reported feeling under pressure and 18% declared being jealous of pregnant couples around them. Supportive 56%

The effect of ART cycles on the professional life was considered as moderate by 42% of the patients. The increase of stress at work and issues with time management were present in 64% and 50% of the cases, respectively.

Most couples (92%) also declared having financial problems related to ART costs. About one third of them borrowed money and 54% of couples had to reduce their expenditure on basic items. These issues were caused by the limited health insurance funding in 52% of the cases.

Couples frequently (40%) hided their money problems and 68% of them reported a profound impact of the ART process on their life plans.

Conclusions:

The infertility diagnosis can have a remarkable negative impact on couples’ wellbeing. Undergoing ART cycles is another element that can increase the psychologic and socioeconomic stress. Thus, careful counselling should be provided to these couples through their treatment process.