Browsing by Author "Yidnekachew Tekle"

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    Psycho-Social Experiences and Coping Strategies of Infertile Couples Attending at Infertility Clinics in Saint Paul’s Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2024: a Qualitative Study
    (Addis Ababa University, 2024-06-13) Yidnekachew Tekle; Hana Hailu
    Background: One of the most challenging life experiences among couples is infertility, which can have a negative psychological and social impact on a relationship. Many couples are suffering from the psychological and social impacts of infertility, yet there has been a lack of information and less well understood information on the psychological and social experiences as well as coping mechanisms among infertile couples, and it lacks information on the implementation of appropriate interventions to effectively manage infertility and couples. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to explore the psycho-social experiences and coping mechanisms of infertile couples attending an infertility clinic in Saint Paul‘s Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2024. Methods: A qualitative exploratory, descriptive study design was carried out among infertile couples who attend an infertility clinic from January 15–February 28, 2024, in Saint Paul‘s infertility clinic (center), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 12 in-depth interviews were done through semi-structured interview guide, and each interview lasted for 26 to 50 min. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis methods. Results: The analysis resulted in three major themes and twelve categories. The psychological facets of infertility, the effects of infertility on their social relationships, and coping strategies for infertility are the main themes. Motivation and desire to become parents, perceived causes of infertility, emotional responses to the lack of children, and the anguish of infertile couples are psychological facets. Repetitive questions to conceive and blamed by society were common social experiences that decreased their relationship. Infertile couples mainly need spiritual and medical support, and they discussed their issues with their spouse and other infertile couples. Conclusion: Affected couples, particularly women, experience a significant negative psychosocial effect from infertility. For infertile couples, the primary sources of stress come from the family, and community and they utilized different coping strategies to manage their infertile problems. It is recommended to offer counseling and other support services and to develop a program for teaching couples how to cope with infertility. Key words: infertility, infertile couples, psychological experience, social experience, coping strategies, qualitative study