The Determinant Factors and the Anxiety Level of Infertile
Couples During the Treatment of In Vitro Fertilization and
Embryo Transfer at Chulalongkorn Hospital
V ALAIKORN PHROMYOTHI, MSc*•
PRAMUAN VIRUT AMASEN, MD**•
Affiliation : * Department of Counseling Psychology, Assumption University, Bangkok 10240,
** Reproductive Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkom Univer
sity, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
AbstractThe determinant factors and the anxiety level of infertile couples during the treatment of in
vitro fertilization and embryo transfer were studied in 60 infertile couples between 1 January to 31 May
2000. The instruments employed in the study were Personal and Health Data Questionnaire, the Cornell
Medical Index, and the Determinant Factors of Anxiety. The average age was between 36-40 years
old, holding a Bachelor's degree and working in private companies earning a monthly income between
10,000-20,000 Baht. Most infertile couples wanted to have a child in order to fulfill the meaning of
being a "family" and were anxious about the treatment. The couples in general did not have any back
ground of emotional disturbance. Women were found to have a slightly higher anxiety than men.
The determinant factors of anxiety were found to be the side-effects of the infertility treatment,
inadequate time to consult with the physician/nurse, the outcome of the infertility treatment, possibi
lity to possibility of not succeeding/infertility cannot be treated and the process of the diagnostic pro
cedures accordingly.
The results of the study will serve as a guideline for improving better services and under
standing between the physician and the patient regarding the expectations of the IVF treatment.
Keywords : Anxiety, In Vitro Fertilization, Embryo Transfer
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