Epidemiology of depression among infertile and fertile couples in Shiraz, southern Iran

Depression is considered as one of the main psychological disorders associated with infertility. Depression may play a significant role in the life of infertile individuals, their infertility treatment follow-up and in their hopefulness for the future; it may also influence the intensity and continuousness of the mutual relationship of the affected couple. This study was done to determine the depression rate and make a comparison between infertile and fertile couples with respect to the same. The depression rate was evaluated between two groups--infertile couples (case group) and fertile couples (control group). Ninety-one infertile couples (cases) and 9l fertile ones (controls) were randomly enrolled in our study. Beck depression inventory (BDI) and demographic information were provided. We used Chi-square, t-test; and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to find out significant difference between infertility duration in various couples and its effect on the score of depression. The BDI mean difference between infertile and fertile couples was significant (P=0.015). It was significantly more among couples with infertility from 1-3 years' duration compared to those with infertility of 1-year duration or less. Regarding the high rate of depression among infertile couples, it seems necessary to pay more attention to infertility centers that offer psychological and psychiatric services.