Anxiety, Depression, Psychological Reaction and Impact of COVID 19 on Human Fertility

Objective: The current study aim to understand the anxiety, depression, psychological reaction and impact of COVID-19 on human fertility in Karachi, Pakistan.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on all married 243 patients at Out Patients Department (OPD) of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. The data were collected through a standardized questionnaire and this was done between from July 2020 to December 2021. Regarding the inclusion criteria, only patients who consulted a gynecologist were invited to participate in the study voluntarily. The principles of research ethics regarding the confidentiality of the data collected and ensure the anonymity of the participants. The data were analyzed by way of descriptive statistics and cross tabulation, with a P value of 5 per cent used to determine level of significance.

Results: Mostly patients were observed above 30 years 42.38% with mean age was 36.12± 3.2 years (range 18-50 years) and majority of patient’s relatively good health status 153(62.96%). Mostly couple 161 (66.25%) avoid the pregnancy in covid-19 period. Patients preferring to avoid the pregnancy due to higher COVID-19 contagion anxiety 121(75.15%) were observed. The main reason for avoid the pregnancy was fear of delivering a baby in the current situation 110(68.32%) cases. Followed by infected 55(34.16%), financial concerns 63(39.13%) and risks for the pregnancy 88 (54.65%) cases. There are significant number of patients, who report moderate anxiety 73(30.04%), severe anxiety 55(22.63%), findings of PHQ9 shows moderate depression 67(27.57%), moderately severe depression 71 (29.21%), and severe depression 25(10.28%).

Conclusion: In Covid-19 period were observed high rate of anxiety, depression, and psychological reaction in female patients who wants to conceive. Anxiety, depression, and psychological reaction might be leading to changes in sexual behavior can all predict the quality of a couple’s relationship.