QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG INDIVIDUALS SEEKING FERTILITY TREATMENT IN UGANDA: FINDINGS FROM A CROSS-SECTIONAL FertiQoL SURVEY

Abstract

Abstract Background Infertility affects approximately one in six people globally and is associated with diminished quality of life (QoL). In Uganda, an estimated 6.4% of women experience infertility, yet evidence on fertility-specific QoL and its determinants remains limited. We assessed fertility-related QoL and associated factors among individuals seeking fertility care in public and private hospital settings in Kampala to inform patient-centred services. Methodology We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study (May 2024–January 2025) among 332 individuals aged 18–49 years attending fertility clinics at Kawempe National Referral Hospital (public; n=175) and St. Francis Hospital Nsambya (private; n=157). QoL was measured using the validated Core FertiQoL questionnaire, generating overall and domain scores (emotional, mind/body, relational, and social), transformed to a 0–100 scale (higher scores indicate better QoL). Mean scores were compared using independent-samples t -tests and one-way ANOVA. Multivariable linear regression identified factors independently associated with FertiQoL (α=0.05). Results Most participants were female (87.1%) and ≤40 years (88.0%). Secondary infertility was reported by 50.3%, and 58.4% had infertility duration <5 years. The overall mean FertiQoL score was 61.9 (SD 14.7), with similar totals across hospitals. Mind/body scores were comparatively higher, while emotional scores were lowest (mean 54.3, SD 21.3). In adjusted analyses, male gender (β=8.49; 95% CI 3.95–13.02; p <0.001) and secondary infertility (β=7.45; 95% CI 4.41–10.49; p <0.001) were associated with higher FertiQoL scores. Conclusions Fertility-related QoL among patients seeking care in Kampala was moderate and did not differ by facility type. Gender and infertility type were key correlates, underscoring the need for integrated, gender-sensitive psychosocial support alongside clinical infertility care.