Clinical Integration of Patients’ Preferences in Treatment Decision Making Among Women With Infertility: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate infertile women’s treatment-seeking behavior and to determine the factors that impact the treatment method choices while assessing patients’ views regarding infertility management. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey was distributed anonymously online and targeted infertile females seeking infertility treatment and included participants from all the 12 governorates in Jordan. An electronic questionnaire was designed, which was then distributed on several social media platforms during January 2021. This study included 429 participants seeking in vitro fertilization (IVF), and 52 were seeking intrauterine insemination (IUI) as a treatment modality. The study aimed to examine the aspects that influence infertile women’s treatment-seeking behavior and technique selection. Results: A total of 481 infertile females aged 21-50 years were included in the study. There was a statistically significant relationship between treatment modality and the number of children (P = 0.012), years of trying to conceive (P = 0.006), and causes of infertility (P = 0.017). Participants who wanted to use the IUI method had a significantly higher average number of children (IUI vs. IVF: 0.88 ± 1.11, 0.46 ± 0.96). Calculating the binary logistic regression to predict the selection of a treatment method based on prior trials of IVF and IUI indicated that the IVF prior trial is a significant predictor method of treatment selection (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The decisions regarding infertility treatment should be shared between the patient and the treating physician. Socioeconomic status, past gynecological, and infertility history should be evaluated to better understand the patient’s preference.