Infertility could be a life crisis with a wide range of social, emotional and psychological problems. This study aimed to contribute towards improving the health outcomes of infertile women by determining the association between family function and psychological wellbeing amongst infertile women.
This was a cross sectional study conducted at the YDMH, Kaduna. The participants were 254 women who presented to the gynecology clinic. Perceived Family APGAR assessment tool was used to determine the level of family function. Their psychological well-being was determined by administering the GHQ-12 instrument. Data was analysed using the EPI-INFO statistical package.
Most participants were Hausas (70.1%), Muslims (91.7%), and unemployed (52.8%) with an average monthly income of less than N20,000 (73.6%). Most were within the age group of 25-30 years (40.2%), and from monogamous families (70.1%) with most families having 0-5 children (89.4%). Most participants, 110(43.3%) were from functional families, 89(35.0%) from moderately dysfunctional families and 55(21.7%) from highly dysfunctional families. There was a significant association between family function and psychological distress (p-value=0.000 and 2=67.742).
Adequate family function reduces stress and improves the psychological wellbeing of infertile women.

WAJM 2021.

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