Studying the effect of infertility on marital violence in Turkish women

The aim of this descriptive study was to evaluate the level of marital violence among Turkish women and to determine whether infertility was a risk factor for marital violence.

This descriptive study was conducted during January-July 2009 at a training hospital. The study groups comprised 204 fertile and 228 infertile women. We administered the Descriptive Information Questionnaire and Scale for Marital Violence against Women (SDVW) to obtain data.

There was a statistically significant difference between infertile and fertile women for the total score of violence in marriage. The emotional, economic and sexual violence scores were higher in the infertile group. However, the verbal violence score was lower.

We performed a detailed study aimed at uncovering the presence of any violence from the data collection stage to the end of treatment in infertile couples with the intent to include questions to this effect in the care plan.