Fang Zhang1, Yan Lv1, Yanting Wang1, Xuzhen Cheng1, Yuying Yan1, Ye Zhang2,3, Yue Wang4. 1. Department of Assisted Reproduction, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. 2. Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. 3. Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. 4. Ambulatory Surgery Center, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. 1 Xueshi Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. misswangyue@zju.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Infertile women often face stigmatization worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the stigma against infertile women in China and to analyze its influencing factors. METHODS: Of 270 women who were randomly selected from patients receiving adjuvant fertility treatment in Zhejiang Province, China, 254 successfully completed the general information questionnaire, disease information questionnaire, and Chinese version of the infertility stigma scale (ISS). The ISS contained 27 positively worded items, each of which was graded on a 5-point Likert-type scale. RESULTS: The total stigma score of female infertility patients was 66.39 ± 21.96. By dividing the number of items, the average score for each ISS item was 2.13 ± 0.81, indicating the presence of stigma. Among the four ISS factors, the social withdrawal score was the highest (2.64 ± 1.05), whereas the family stigma score was the lowest (1.88 ± 0.88). Multiple stepwise regression analysis further revealed that the duration of infertility and monthly income were important predictors of the stigma of infertile women. CONCLUSIONS: Infertile women experience moderate to high levels of stigma in Zhejiang, China. Thus, supportive psychological interventions and public education are required to change patients' cognition and assist patients in coping with negative experiences.
BACKGROUND:Infertilewomen often face stigmatization worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the stigma against infertilewomen in China and to analyze its influencing factors. METHODS: Of 270 women who were randomly selected from patients receiving adjuvant fertility treatment in Zhejiang Province, China, 254 successfully completed the general information questionnaire, disease information questionnaire, and Chinese version of the infertility stigma scale (ISS). The ISS contained 27 positively worded items, each of which was graded on a 5-point Likert-type scale. RESULTS: The total stigma score of female infertilitypatients was 66.39 ± 21.96. By dividing the number of items, the average score for each ISS item was 2.13 ± 0.81, indicating the presence of stigma. Among the four ISS factors, the social withdrawal score was the highest (2.64 ± 1.05), whereas the family stigma score was the lowest (1.88 ± 0.88). Multiple stepwise regression analysis further revealed that the duration of infertility and monthly income were important predictors of the stigma of infertilewomen. CONCLUSIONS:Infertilewomen experience moderate to high levels of stigma in Zhejiang, China. Thus, supportive psychological interventions and public education are required to change patients' cognition and assist patients in coping with negative experiences.
Authors: Maya N Mascarenhas; Seth R Flaxman; Ties Boerma; Sheryl Vanderpoel; Gretchen A Stevens Journal: PLoS Med Date: 2012-12-18 Impact factor: 11.069