Evaluation of depression, stress, and anxiety among women with subfertility during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in Ahvaz, Iran.

Background And Aims: Some studies have shown that the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression have increased among subfertile women during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was designed to evaluate the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among subfertile women during the COVID-19 pandemic in southwest Iran.

Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 190 subfertile women from two infertility centers (Imam Khomeini and Jihad) in Ahvaz, Iran. A demographic questionnaire, and the depression, anxiety, stress scale (DASS-21) were used to assess the level of depression, anxiety, and stress of subfertile women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection started in August 2021 and was completed in December 2021. Mean ± SD or (%), and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data.

Result: Results showed that most women experienced moderate depression, anxiety, and stress. However, the percentage of women who experienced very severe anxiety was more than that for depression and stress, and 75 (39.5%) of women had all three disorders together. Anxiety was 0.176 units lower in women who were not affected by COVID-19 (95% CI: -5.781 to -0.629). The depression was 0.216 units lower in women with good and moderate economic status (95% CI: -5.603 to -1.178).

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that most studied women experienced moderate depression, anxiety, and stress, but the percentages of very severe anxiety were more than that for depression and stress. Poor economic status was also a strong predictor of depression among subfertile women. Infection with COVID-19 increased the level of anxiety. Careful evaluation of subfertile women for mental health is recommended especially during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.