An investigation of social inequalities in help-seeking and use of health services for fertility problems in a population-based sample of UK women

Abstract

Although infertility is an important public health problem, treatment can be expensive and resources are increasingly scarce. This study investigates possible inequalities in the use of medical services for fertility problems. We analysed data from a population-based survey for associations between socio-economic characteristics and help-seeking or use of services, to establish whether inequalities existed. More women of higher social status and education reported fertility problems, but there was no clear trend in help-seeking, investigations or treatments for infertility by social status and education level. New work is planned to investigate these issues more fully, particularly the role of family income.

Keywords:

• Social inequalities
• fertility treatment
• health services
• infertility
• fertility problems
• help-seeking

Acknowledgements

Melanie Morris designed this study, cleaned and coded some of the data, analysed and interpreted the data and wrote part of the paper. Laura Oakley cleaned and coded some of the data, analysed and interpreted the data and wrote part of the paper. Noreen Maconochie designed and conducted the original cross-sectional study, cleaned and coded much of the data, interpreted the data and edited drafts of the paper. Pat Doyle designed and conducted the original cross-sectional study, interpreted the data and edited drafts of the paper. The original NWHS was given ethical approval by the Trent Multi-centre Research Ethics Committee and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Ethics Committee. This study required no additional ethical approval as it was a secondary analysis of the data. This study was completed as part of a PhD funded by LSHTM.