Using logistic regression to investigate the factors influencing infertile women

Background: Infertility is a major and prevalent health problem influencing different aspects of couple life, especially that of women. Sexual dysfunction is the silent partner of infertility. Accordingly, a study was conducted in 2013 to investigate the factors influencing the sexual function of infertile women in Mashhad.Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted on 85 infertile women visiting governmental Infertility Clinic and Research Center in Mashhad. The convenience sampling method was used in this study. The research tools included a demographic and infertility information form, a sexual self-efficacy questionnaire based on Schwarzer’s General Self-Efficacy Scale, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and ENRICH (Evaluation and Nurturing Relationship Issues, Communication and Happiness) Marital Satisfaction Scale. The descriptive-analytical statistical tests and the logistic regression method were used to analyze data. The type I errors were considered 5%, and the lower possible values were regarded as statistically significant.Result: The mean age of all women was 31.18±5.56 years old, and the majority of them (32%) were aged between 26 and 30 years old. The majority of participants (36.7%) had higher educations, and 60% of them were housewives. Most of their husbands (49.4%) were self-employed. The mean period of infertility awareness was 6.02±4.47 years, and the mean period of infertility treatment was 4.11±4.46 years. Based on the logistic regression model, the following variables influenced the sexual function of infertile women: sexual self-efficacy, sexual satisfaction, marital satisfaction, the educational attainments of both wife and husband, income, couple satisfaction with spouse appearance, and the high costs of infertility treatment.Conclusion: Identifying the factors influencing the sexual function of infertile women can help make necessary plans and interventions to improve sexual health in these women.

کلیدواژه ها:

Infertile women ، Sexual function ، Logistic regression