Views of infertile individuals on stigma related to infertility

The study was conducted using the triangulation method to determine the views of infertile individuals on stigma towards infertility. The sample of the study consisted of 27 individuals, 17 women and 10 men, who applied to Mersin University Hospital IVF Center between March and June 2019, met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected using a personal information form prepared by the researchers based on the relevant literature and a semi-structured individual in-depth interview questionnaire. Individuals who met the inclusion criteria were invited to individual in-depth interviews. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the individuals who agreed to be interviewed on the date and time determined by them in accordance with the semi-structured individual in-depth interview form. Interviews were recorded with a voice recorder after obtaining permission from the individuals. The data of the individuals who did not accept the voice recorder were recorded with a notepad. In the analysis of the data obtained, the interview transcripts were transferred to the Windows Word program, the crude data were grouped, the grouped data were coded and content analysis was performed. Quantitative data obtained from the personal information form were evaluated using average and standard deviation. As a result of individual in-depth interviews, three main themes and 10 sub-themes were identified: Perspectives on infertility, psychosocial problems experienced due to stigma, and attitudes of health care professionals. Participants stated that they see the meaning of having children as procreation and continuation of the generation, that they feel under pressure due to infertility, that they hide their infertility and isolate themselves from the society. Participants stated that the biggest problem they experienced in this process was the fear of separation from their spouses. It is extremely important that infertile individuals are handled with a holistic approach physically, socioculturally and psychologically, and that all health personnel involved in the diagnosis and treatment process are aware of the psychosocial problems arising from infertility. In accordance with the results obtained from the study, it is recommended that nurses who assume an important role in the diagnosis and treatment process of infertile individuals should manage nursing care by being aware of the stigma experienced by infertile individuals.