Characteristics of women visiting an infertility clinic and their interest in preimplantation sex selection in the north of Jordan.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the characteristics of women attending a fertility clinic for infertility treatment and to determine their interest in the use of preconception sex selection and its associated factors.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among women who presented to the fertility clinic in the IVF center for infertility treatment. A total of 335 women were included in the study and interviewed using the study questionnaire, which included information on patients' demographics, obstetric and infertility history, child gender preference, and interest in preconception sex selection.

RESULTS

A total of 155 (46.3%) women had primary infertility and 180 (53.7%) had secondary infertility. While preference for a boy was reported by 50 (14.9%) participants and preference for a girl was reported by seven (2.1%), the majority of women (83.0%) had no preference for gender. A total of 59 (17.6%) women showed an interest in using preconception sex selection. In the multivariate analysis, women who preferred a boy were more likely to be interested in preconception sex selection (OR=3.52) compared to women who had no preference for gender. Trying to conceive for ≥2 years was associated with an 80% increase in the odds of being interested in preconception sex selection.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of women (83.0%) had no gender preference. Less than one fifth of women (17.6%) showed an interest in using assisted method for sex selection. Preference for a boy and trying to conceive for ≥2 years were significantly associated with increased odds of being interested in using preconception sex selection.