Evaluation of the effect of fertility support education given to infertile couples

Aim: The aim of the first stage of this study was to evaluate the stress level and quality of life of couples who applied to the infertility clinic and the self-efficacy and readiness for the fertility of infertile women. The aim of the second stage of this study was to evaluate the effect of fertility support education given to infertile couples before treatment. Material and Methods: The first stage of the research, which was descriptive, was carried out with 188 couples, and the second stage, which was experimental type, with 90 couples. In the first stage of the study, data were collected by using the "Infertility Stress Scale", the Infertility Self-Efficacy Scale, the "Fertility Readiness Scale" and the "FertiQol Quality of Life Scale". In the second stage of the study, fertility support education was given to couples who started treatment during four weeks. After the treatment was completed, the couples' stress level and quality of life, women's self-efficacy, fertility readiness, cortisol levels and pregnancy outcomes were examined. Results: After the fertility support training was given, the experimental group's mean total score on the Infertility Stress Scale in the final evaluation (7.8±8.9) was statistically significantly lower than in the first evaluation (8.1±7.5), the total mean score of the Infertility Self-Efficacy Scale and Fertility Readiness Scale for women was statistically significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p<0.05). It was found that the mean blood cortisol level of women after the fertility support training (first day of the treatment) was statistically significantly lower in the experimental group (9.9±4.4 µg/dL) than in the control group (12.1±5.3 µg/dL) (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of male Infertility Stress Scale sub-dimension and total score averages, and FertiQol Quality of Life Scale core module score averages (p>0.05). Conclusions: It was found that fertility support training was effective in reducing stress levels, increasing the perception of self-efficacy, and being ready for pregnancy in women.