Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40962352›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Psycho-social experiences and coping strategies of infertile couples attending infertility clinics in Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a qualitative study.

Yidnekachew Tekle Behude, Endalew Gemechu Sendo, Hanna Hailu Tamir

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Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Yidnekachew Tekle BehudeMidwifery, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Endalew Gemechu SendoMidwifery, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia endalew.gemechu@aau.edu.et.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7768-0196
Hanna Hailu TamirMidwifery, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2317-405X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundInfertility is a significant reproductive health issue that affects couples physically, emotionally and socially. This qualitative study aims to explore the psycho-social experiences and coping strategies of infertile couples attending infertility clinics at Saint Paul's Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

methodsThis study employed a descriptive phenomenological research design. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 purposively selected couples experiencing infertility. The study used thematic analysis to capture the emotional, social and psychological impacts of infertility on individuals and their relationships.

resultsKey themes identified include emotional distress, social stigma, marital strain and a sense of isolation. Participants reported experiencing feelings of shame, depression and anxiety, often exacerbated by societal expectations and pressure to conceive. Coping strategies varied across individuals and included seeking medical intervention, social support, religious faith and, in some cases, withdrawal from social interactions.

conclusionsThe study highlights the need for comprehensive psychological support and counselling services in infertility care to address the mental health and social challenges faced by infertile couples. Promoting awareness to reduce stigma and enhancing social support systems may improve the overall well-being of affected individuals.

Indexed as

Adaptation, PsychologicalInfertilityAdultAnxietyCoping SkillsDepressionEthiopiaFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleQualitative ResearchShameSocial StigmaSocial SupportStress, PsychologicalClinical Decision-MakingEthiopiaFamilyMale infertility

Identifiers

PMID40962352
PMCPMC12443177

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.