P –467 Emotions, Thoughts, and Coping Strategies of Women with Infertility Problems on Changes in Treatment during Covid–19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

AbstractStudy questionWhat are the emotions, thoughts and coping strategies of women with infertility problems on changes in treatment during the COVID –19 pandemic?Summary answerTreatment-related procedures keep changing directions, exposing the women to high level of uncertainty. Changes in treatments may be perceived as threats to achieving parenting goals.What is known alreadyBoth infertility and the treatment process constitute a stressful experience. Literature reports that couples describe infertility as the most difficult challenge to overcome in their lives. In addition, it has been reported that women experience more anxiety, stress, and depression than men during this period. Societies and individuals affected by large-scale disasters, such as global pandemics, can develop stress-related disorders. Current data indicate that closure of fertility clinic during the COVID –19 pandemic was associated with a sharp increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression among patients undergoing fertility treatments and was perceived as an uncontrollable and stressful event.Study design, size, durationThe research was designed as a qualitative study. The data were collected from two Internet forums between October - December 2020. Blogs most frequently used by women with infertility in Turkey were simultaneously selected. The comments of 30 women were included.Participants/materials, setting, methodsData were screened by using the directed qualitative content analysis. ...
Source: Human Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research