Depression Among Infertile Women Attending an IVF Center in Al-Basra:A Preliminary Case–Control Study

Alsabagh, Akeel

doi:10.33762/mjbu.2025.166154.1326

	Depression Among Infertile Women Attending an IVF Center in Al-Basra:A Preliminary Case–Control Study
The Medical Journal of Basrah University
Article 10, Volume 43, Issue 2, December 2025
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.33762/mjbu.2025.166154.1326
Author
akeel alsabagh^*
University of Basra, college of medicine, department of medicine/psychiatry
Abstract
Background: Depression is common among infertile women, partly due to social stigma and marital pressures. Data remains scarce in low-resource settings like Al-Basra. The study aims to estimate the prevalence of depression among infertile women and examine factors linked to its severity. Methods: This pilot case–control study recruited 100 infertile women (cases) and 100 fertile women (controls) at the IVF and gynecology clinics of Al-Basra Hospital for Women and Children from August–November 2022. Participants completed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) and Beck’s Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Sociodemographic data (e.g., marriage order, family psychiatric history) were collected. Results: Among infertile women, 76% met criteria for depression compared to 5% of controls (p=0.001). More than half reported moderate-to-severe symptoms. Second marriage status was associated with higher BDI-II scores, and a positive family history of psychiatric disorders correlated with more severe depression. Conclusion: Depression appears highly prevalent among infertile women in Al-Basra, suggesting the need for routine psychological screening and support in fertility clinics. Future research should employ randomized samples and structured clinical interviews to confirm these findings and improve generalizability.
Keywords
Medicine; Psychiatry; Infertility

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