Improving Access and Utilization of Infertility Treatment Services for Infertile Women: A Policy Brief

Background. Infertility is a major reproductive health concern, and barriers to accessing and utilizing infertility treatment services may lead to significant individual and societal consequences. This study aimed to identify the barriers to accessing and utilizing infertility treatment services among infertile women and to propose policy options to address these challenges. Methods. This policy brief was developed based on a multi-phase study employing a mixed (quantitative-qualitative) approach, which included a narrative review study of the available evidence, a descriptive cross-sectional study examining the status of infertile women referring to public and private infertility treatment centers in Tehran (n = 450), and finally, a focus group discussion study aimed at obtaining the opinions of experts in the field of infertility. Results. The major barriers identified included financial constraints and inadequate insurance coverage, geographic accessibility limitations, challenges related to service delivery, insufficient awareness among couples, certain shortcomings in service quality, and individual and cognitive factors affecting treatment continuation. Based on these findings, four policy options were proposed: expanding insurance coverage for infertility services, developing infertility treatment centers, improving the quality of infertility care, and strengthening educational and awareness-raising programs. Conclusion. The findings of this study suggest that treatment costs and inadequate financial support are among the most significant barriers to accessing and utilizing infertility treatment services among infertile women in Tehran. Policy interventions focusing on enhanced insurance coverage, improved geographic access, better quality of care, and increased awareness may help reduce these barriers and improve the utilization of infertility services. Research Insights · Infertility is one of the important issues in reproductive health, and barriers to access to and utilization of treatment services can have considerable individual and social consequences. · Sufficient evidence was lacking regarding the barriers to access to and utilization of infertility treatment services by infertile women, as well as effective policy options for addressing them. · This study, employing a mixed-methods approach, identified the main barriers (financial, insurance-related, geographical, service quality, awareness, and individual factors) and presented four policy options to address them. · By documenting the identified barriers and providing specific policy recommendations, this article filled the scientific gap at the level of problem recognition and solution provision, although it did not assess the effectiveness of the implementation of these policies.