Prevalence of depression Among Infertile Women in Aden, Yemen: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background : No empirical study has evaluated the prevalence of depression or its severity among infertile women seeking reproductive treatment in Yemen. Objectives : This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression and its severity among infertile women in Aden, Yemen. Methods : This was a cross-sectional study conducted among infertile women attending different infertility centers and clinics in Aden, Yemen, and the score of depressive symptoms was evaluated using the PHQ-9 scale. The data was collected via face-to-face interviewing using a structured questionnaire, and then SPSS was used to analyze the data. Results: Among 101 infertile women who were enrolled in our study, the overall prevalence of depression among infertile women was 71 (70.3%). Those women who had primary school education and housewives had the highest significant rates, with 75% (p = 0.034) each. The significant borderline highest rate was also shown among women in the age groups >36 years (84%, p=0.057). Out of 71 depressed women, 56.3%, 25.4%, and 18.3% of them had mild, moderate, and severe depression, respectively. The severe depression was significantly associated with women who lived in rural areas, had low income, whose duration of infertility was more than 10 years, and those with chronic diseases (p=0.004, 0.036, 0.037, and 0.015), respectively. Conclusion : The prevalence of depression among infertile women in Aden, Yemen, was higher compared to most related global studies. The age groups >36 years, primary school education, and housewives were associated with depression. Depression severity was significantly correlated with rural background residence, low income, duration of infertility over 10 years, and the presence of chronic diseases.