Profiling patients across the transition from homologous to third-party reproduction
Description
The use of third-party reproduction is growing progressively and is profoundly changing the landscape of assisted reproduction. This study aimed to identify the clinical profiles of patients receiving assisted reproduction treatments and to compare their predispositions for third-party reproduction. The sample included patients who 1) were over 18 years of age; 2) had experienced infertility; 3) had started at least one assisted reproduction cycle; and 4) were able to speak and understand Italian. The sample comprised 750 women. The participants were asked to provide sociodemographic and clinical data and to express their current or future willingness to accept third-party reproduction. They were then asked to complete the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Importance of Parenthood subscale. RESULTS: One in three women refused third-party reproduction. The most suitable latent class analysis model identified four clinical profiles of patients undergoing treatment. The classes were labeled as follows: 1) Aging patients (N = 220; 29.3% of the sample); 2) Recurrent Seekers (N = 174; 23.2%); 3) Younger (N= 177; 23.6%); and 4) Low-Exposure Seekers (N =179; 23.9%). The association between class membership and attitudes toward third-party reproduction was significant [χ2(6)=60.55; p<0.001]. Specifically, “aging patients” are significantly more likely to accept third-party reproduction, whereas “recurrent seekers” and “low-exposure seekers” are not currently predisposed to this treatment but may be open in the future.
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Institutions
- Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore