Factors influencing quality of life in Tunisian infertile couples: a gender-based analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background Infertility, as defined by the World Health Organization, is the inability to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse, affecting millions of couples globally. In Tunisia, it impacts 10 to 15% of the population, posing significant personal and societal challenges. This study aimed to assess the quality of life of Tunisian infertile couples and identify sociodemographic, psychological and sexual predictors influencing their quality of life. Methods A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 60 infertile couples attending the Assisted Reproduction Unit at Aziza Othmana Hospital in Tunisia, from August to December 2022. Participants completed the Fertility Quality of Life Scale, Arizona Sexual Experience Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in Arabic. Results Women had lower Total FertiQoL scores than men (59.88 ± 14.74 vs. 67.25 ± 12.06, p = 0.003). In women, lower QoL was associated with living in a rural area (B = -6.24, p = 0.047), presence of medical history (B = -6.74, p = 0.047), and higher anxiety scores (B = -9.05, p < 0.001). High income was associated with better QoL (B = 5.89, p = 0.048).