The Effect of Peer Education on Marital Adjustment and Quality of Life in Infertile Women Referred to Alzahra Hospital, 2016

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction and Aim: Infertility is a stressful and stirring event for couples and can loosen family foundation. Various studies have confirmed the negative effect of infertility on marital adjustment and quality of life.. Considering the lack of studies about the effect of peer education on life quality and marital adjustment of infertile women (as the result of the researcher's search), it seems to be necessary to conduct this study. Materials and Methods This double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 134 infertile women referred to infertility clinic of Alzahra Hospital. After filling the informed consent form, the eligible subjects were selected by random sampling and completed demographic questionnaire and pre-test . Then, ten cases with Diploma degree whose scores were more than median in pre-test were chosen as the head of peers and received required education in two one hour sessions with one week interval. Other subjects were divided into control and intervention groups. The co-researcher categorized the intervention group into 10 groups and every head was randomly allocated to each intervention group. Beside common cares of clinic, peer education group participated had at least 10-15 minute phone call with the head once a week. Three months after pre-test, post test questionnaires were completed by the subjects of the two groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 and by descriptive statistics and analytical statistics including paired t-test, covariance analysis of covariance and chi-square. Results It was seen a significant difference between the two groups in compatibility of the marital adjustment and the quality of life after the intervention following controlling effects of the base scores. Socio-demographic and infertility characteristic were associated with changing the sc, ore marital adjustment and quality of life in both group. Conclusion Peer education promoted quality of life and marital adjustment of infertile women.