Citation Information :
Sharma N, Sharma S, Kaur I, Kaur J. An Exploratory Study on Treatment Seeking Behavior and Pathways of Care Followed by Couples Attending Infertility Clinic. Int J Infertil Fetal Med 2018; 9 (1):1-5.
Objective: The main aim of present study was to explore the treatment seeking behavior and pathways of care followed by couples attending infertility clinic at a tertiary care center
Research design: The study adopted an exploratory research design. Using total enumeration technique a total of 40 infertile couples were interviewed using semistructured interview schedule.
Results: Out of total, 82% couples visited 1–4 healthcare agencies before coming to a tertiary care center. Among all treatment settings and options, majority (62%) visited private health sector as first health agency. Based on first health agency visited a total of three care pathways were revealed with longest pathway comprised total of nine health agencies out of which four were private practitioners.
Conclusion: The infertile couples try varied forms of treatments before reaching a tertiary center shuttling from one agency to another. This drains them of all hope and energy for successful treatment.
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