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СпутникиРНSpaceXРоскосмосNASABackground Infertility is an increasing global health concern, including in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to explore patients’ perceptions of infertility and in vitro fertilization services, focusing on knowledge, experiences, and barriers to treatment among couples in Khobar and Dammam. Methods This study employed a descriptive phenomenological qualitative method, specifically using a hybrid thematic analysis approach that incorporates both deductive and inductive coding. The data triangulation method was used to ensure the accuracy of the data. Therefore, participants were categorized into three groups: patients, physicians, and administrative staff at IVF centers. Data was collected through interviews. Data saturation was achieved with fifteen participants. Results Three main themes emerged: perceptions of infertility, perceptions of infertility services, and barriers to treatment. Participants perceived infertility, particularly male infertility, to be increasing; however, the lack of a national registry limits an accurate prevalence estimate. Key barriers included financial burden due to limited insurance coverage, societal influences, lengthy treatment processes, and limited awareness. Conclusions Expanding insurance coverage, providing financial assistance, and implementing awareness initiatives may help improve access to infertility treatment and reduce stigma. Establishing a national registry could also support better planning and improvement of infertility services.
Infertility is increasingly recognized as a pressing public health concern affecting millions of individuals and couples worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 17.5% of adults experience infertility.1 Fertility rates in the Middle East and North Africa have fallen since the 1960s, dropping from an average of seven births per woman to 2.6 in 2021.2 Furthermore, fertility rates in Saudi Arabia have steadily decreased, from 7.6 births per woman in 1960 to 2.46 births per woman in 2020. This surge has led to the global adoption of in vitro fertilization (IVF), which has significantly increased over the last 40 years. Since the first successful IVF birth in 1978, over eight million children have been born using this method.3
IVF treatment was introduced in the Middle East during the 1980s, starting in Saudi Arabia. Currently, more than 35 centers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) conduct approximately 20,000 IVF treatment cycles annually, with the majority of these facilities operating within the private sector.4 The number of centers offering these services varies significantly by region in the Kingdom. In 2012, there were four private centers that provided IVF services and not a single government center in the Eastern Province.5 In 2019, the first government infertility clinic was established.5
Despite this remarkable growth, various economic, social, cultural, and structural barriers prevent many individuals struggling with infertility from accessing infertility treatment.3 The existing literature on perceptions of these services and the factors affecting accessibility in Saudi Arabia is limited. Nevertheless, global studies have shed light on patients’ perceptions and factors influencing their experiences with infertility treatment. For instance, a study conducted on the perceptions of infertility patients from six European countries found that factors such as a lack of knowledge of success rates, the high cost of treatment, and religious beliefs were obstacles to receiving those services.6 Additionally, studies have found other factors that limit the number of couples seeking infertility treatment, including societal, mental, and economic challenges.7
The most notable societal influence is the stigma surrounding male infertility, which can lead to a refusal of medical treatment, even when a male factor issue is suspected.9
The emotional aspects of infertility can prevent patients from pursuing treatment. Infertility can negatively impact social, emotional, and health outcomes. Studies show that infertile women often experience more psychological distress, including depression and anxiety. Research in South Asia and the Middle East has shown that infertility can be linked to stigma and emotional distress.10 Gibson and Myers emphasized the need for counselors to be aware of infertile women’s coping needs and specific interventions to help them cope effectively with infertility stress.11
This study aimed to examine the perceptions of patients with infertility regarding infertility and IVF services in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, we sought to identify factors that influence the process of seeking and receiving infertility and IVF treatment. The findings of this study will provide valuable insights for decision makers, enabling them to enhance the quality and accessibility of these services while fostering more culturally sensitive care. Furthermore, the results will inform the development of policies aimed at enhancing those services, ensuring that they are more effective and responsive to patient needs.
This study employed a descriptive phenomenological qualitative method, specifically using a hybrid thematic analysis approach that incorporates both deductive and inductive coding. Initially, open coding was performed to organize the textual data and assign codes. This was followed by axial coding, which established the relationships between codes to create subcategories. Finally, selective coding is applied to connect these subcategories, ultimately leading to the development of overarching themes.12,13
The researchers implemented a purposeful sampling technique to select relevant participants. In qualitative research, purposeful sampling is used to identify and select cases relevant to the phenomenon of interest that contain a substantial amount of information.14 The inclusion criteria specified that the target population consisted of couples seeking IVF treatment in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Participants were categorized into three groups: patients, physicians, and administrative staff at IVF centers. Those residing outside the Eastern Province were excluded because regional differences in healthcare delivery, culture, and available resources could significantly impact the findings. Furthermore, data collection and analysis were performed concurrently until data saturation was achieved with a sample of 15 participants. Data saturation refers to the stage in qualitative research in which additional data collection no longer generates new insights or themes.15
Data were collected through individual in-person interviews conducted in infertility clinics in Khobar and Dammam, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, except for one interview conducted by phone at the participant’s preference. Participants received consent forms that were read and signed before the interviews were conducted. As for the participant interviewed over the phone, verbal consent was obtained prior to the interview. The interviews ranged from 45 minutes to two hours.
To improve the accuracy and reliability of the data, this study used a triangulation method for data sources, aiming to foster a thorough understanding of the phenomena under investigation. Data triangulation involves the use of multiple participants to verify the information gathered, ensuring that the findings are not biased or limited to a single perspective. In this study, data were collected from three different groups of participants: patients with infertility, physicians (infertility specialists), and administrative staff working in infertility clinics. In addition, interviews were conducted in five hospitals. Two of the hospitals were government-run, and three were private.13
Finally, the interview recordings were transcribed and analyzed using ATLAS.ti after obtaining a copyright license. The analysis involved applying the necessary codes and themes. The study spanned six months, beginning with data collection (conducting interviews) in November 2023.
Of the 15 participants, five were OBGYN and infertility specialists, seven were patients, and three were administrative staff. Among the seven patients, five were female and two were male, with ages ranging from 19 to 46 years, all of whom were located in Khobar, Eastern Province. Their occupations vary, and include students, nurses, and some who are unemployed. The five physicians consisted of obstetricians, reproductive medicine consultants, and a senior infertility consultant distributed between Khobar and Dammam. Lastly, the three administrative staff members worked as infertility clinic coordinators and nursing consultants, with two based in Khobar and one in Dammam [ Table 1].
The first theme explored the perceptions of infertility among all three participant groups in Khobar and Dammam. Seven out of 15 participants, including health professionals and patients, expressed that they believe infertility is increasing in Saudi Arabia despite the absence of publicly available data. For example, Physician 3 stated, “Recently, there has been an increase in infertility, but I don’t have any figures.” These comments highlight the importance of having access to infertility statistics as they influence perceptions of infertility among both health professionals and patients.
The participants also believed that primary infertility was more common than secondary infertility. Additionally, they believed that male factor infertility was the most common reason for seeking treatment. This view was supported by physicians, who mentioned that they had seen more cases of male factor infertility. For instance, Physician 2 stated that “male factor is really one of the things which we are facing. I can tell you that in some reported literature, they’re reaching up to 60% worldwide due to the male factor … I am sure if we currently conduct a study, we may find about 50 to 60% related to male factors” [ Table 2].
The second theme explored participants’ perceptions of infertility services in both the governmental and private sectors in the Eastern Province. Physicians shared their views on the types of treatments they provided to patients. On the other hand, administrators described how they scheduled infertility patients and the services they offered. The patients explained where they sought treatment, whether in government or private clinics, which services were available to them, and their opinions on those services. This theme was further divided into five sub-themes: limited government resources, lack of male factor treatment, long waiting lists, unnecessary private sector services, and lack of insurance coverage [ Table 3].
According to the participants, currently, only one government center in the Eastern Province offers infertility treatment and accepts referrals from the region. The study participants also reported that a government hospital in Khobar had infertility specialists, but they did not perform procedures such as IVF. The government hospital receives patients with infertility, orders tests, performs ultrasound, and provides consultations. However, patients are referred to a single government infertility clinic in Dammam and placed on a long waiting list, referred to the government infertility clinic in Riyadh, or continue with necessary procedures at a private infertility clinic. It is essential to note that the scarcity of government infertility services was perceived as a significant issue in all three categories. As Admin 3 mentioned, “we are an educational government hospital. We do not have a specialized clinic. We have IVF doctors, but they are not performing IVF procedures in the hospital.” Moreover, Physician 2 stated, “… the government or the public centers are not sufficient to accommodate the number of patients.” Additionally, Patient 3 said, “I wish they had an in vitro fertilization procedure. All hospitals are supposed to offer it.”
The participants disclosed that they believed that the only governmental infertility center in the region lacked an andrologist. Therefore, in cases requiring such a specialist, patients must be referred to a different region for treatment. Additionally, the participants reported that certain procedures related to male factors were not available at the government center. According to Admin 1, “We do not have an andrology expert. Until now, we have not had a physician who specializes in honestly treating men’s reproductive-related issues, which is one of the basics of the department.”
According to the participants, the current waiting list at the governmental infertility clinic in the Eastern Province is approximately 1,000 patients. This issue was mentioned by several patients, such as Patient 3, who noted that “IVF appointments can sometimes be held one year after being arranged.” Moreover, Admin 1 disclosed that “Since 2019, we have had 400 cases so far and approximately a thousand patients on the waiting list.”
Participants mentioned that some private hospitals ordered what they believed as unnecessary services, such as genetic testing. According to Patient 1, “… We were asked to undergo genetic testing, and I believe that it cost us a lot of time, and it might delay one of the cycles. We do not think this is necessary in our case, at least.”
Physicians, patients, and administrators in this study emphasized the importance of including infertility treatments under insurance coverage, stating that it is a medical condition that individuals should be able to treat. Similar to other health issues, it requires consultation and care. Physician 1 said about having children, “It’s one of the basic needs in life. It is not an accessory or a supplementary need; on the contrary, having children is one of life’s necessities, especially in Arab culture.” This view was echoed by Patient 6, who said, “It is expensive, and I do not know why insurance does not cover it, honestly, it’s unfair. It is the same as any health condition; it should be treated similarly. How is it the fault of the person if they cannot have children?” Additionally, Admin 2 mentioned, “We do not have this service in our educational governmental hospital, and the people struggle to save for a cycle to do it in a private place and the insurance usually do not cover the IVF cycle. It’s very stressful.”
The third theme concerns the perceived barriers that prevent patients with infertility from seeking treatment from the participants’ perspective. This theme was further divided into five sub-themes: financial burden, lack of awareness, societal influences, the duration and complexity of the process, and the impact of these factors on individuals [ Table 4].
The most common obstacle mentioned by patients is the financial burden of infertility treatment. For example, Patient 3 expressed her view on how costly infertility treatments can be by saying, “… another person can go to a private clinic and pay twenty thousand or thirty thousand, but others cannot pay such an amount.” Physicians and administrative staff also confirmed this, sharing their opinions on the high costs of these procedures and their beliefs that they should be covered by health insurance. According to Physician 2, “… Patients face a huge financial burden because most insurance companies do not cover it. Having a few public hospitals creates a lot of emotional and financial stress on patients.” Admin 2 also shared her perspective on how cost impacts seeking treatment by saying, “… I think many no longer seek IVF treatments, although they are desperate for a child because they can’t afford it.”
Infertile patients perceived a lack of awareness and proper guidance, as they sometimes felt lost and unsure how or when to take the next step, since they were not guided properly. Some patients reported that their lack of knowledge prevented them from seeking treatment because they were unaware of the consequences of not seeking treatment at an early stage. For instance, physician 3 stated that “others might have a lack of information; they may not know that IVF is available in government hospitals, so that might delay seeking treatment.” Another reason is wasting time by visiting non-specialized clinics, which also delays seeking proper management. This finding highlights the importance of public health interventions to promote infertility awareness.
Another barrier mentioned was societal influences and the pressure to have children, which can have the opposite effect and discourage participants from seeking treatment because they do not want to admit to family members that they are suffering from infertility. Patient 6 said, “I felt pressured by family members to have children. I was asked why I had not had children yet, and I felt I would let my family down if they knew about my infertility struggles.” This also influenced her decision not to seek treatment, since she was afraid that it would be unsuccessful and disappoint those around her. She also stated that “we have a blaming culture … we have this pressure from family and society…”
Infertility treatment can vary greatly, but it is often a lengthy process. Patient 1 described the level of commitment required during IVF cycles, emphasizing the importance of careful planning due to the precision needed in daily injections, oocyte retrieval, and embryo transfer. According to Patient 1, “this process demands not only a high level of commitment …, which can discourage patients from proceeding with treatment.” This issue is amplified by a lack of relevant services in the region, which prompts patients to travel frequently according to Patient 3; “traveling to perform such a procedure is not an easy decision because it is not a one-day procedure. You know, it is a back-and-forth process, and it will take about a month for various ultrasounds, blood work, follow-ups, and sometimes the patient needs to be in complete rest. Therefore, you need to rent accommodation. It’s a hassle”. Physician 1 added, “Another burden is that some patients struggle to adhere to the treatment plan because it requires frequent visits. IVF typically involves at least four visits to the clinic for procedures and embryo transfers. However, many patients have work commitments and cannot take time off for every appointment, which complicates compliance.”
This study aimed to discover participants’ perceptions towards infertility and IVF-related services, and to explore the barriers to seeking treatment. Key findings highlight that infertility is perceived to be on the rise, with a significant emphasis on male factor infertility as a prevalent issue. Participants reported barriers to accessing infertility services, including financial burden, lack of awareness, societal influences, and lengthy, complex treatment processes. The limited availability of government resources and the absence of insurance coverage for infertility treatments further exacerbate these challenges.
Patients expressed that the length and complexity of the IVF treatment process were major obstacles, especially when most couples go through more than one cycle before success. A study conducted in the UK on live birth rates associated with repeated IVF cycles supported this finding, finding that three out of 10 women succeeded with their first cycle of IVF, while seven out of 10 succeeded by their sixth cycle.16
In this study, the financial burden was another commonly cited barrier. This result aligns with that of a qualitative research conducted by Mosalanejad et al., who stated that treatment cost is the greatest barrier, even for people with high incomes.8 Similarly, Insogna et al. mentioned that cost was reported as a barrier to care by 62.8% of the respondents.17
The patients also expressed that they felt that they were not properly guided or informed. This prevented them from seeking treatment, either because they lacked knowledge of their condition or when to take the next step, This could lead to discontinuation of treatment, which aligns with the findings of Mosalanejad et al.8
Another factor shared by participants was that one governmental center offering infertility treatment in the Eastern Province was not sufficient. This obstacle was also supported by Fahimi et al., and Mosalanejad et al. also mentioned the lack of infertility centers as a barrier.8,18
Another obstacle reported by several participants was the stigma surrounding infertility and its societal influence. Patients shared experiencing pressure from their families to conceive and fear disappointing them if the treatment failed. Cultural stigma surrounding male infertility has also been noted. Traditionally, women were seen as responsible for infertility, and men were hesitant to get tested due to fear of judgment, stigma, or damage to their masculinity. Agarwal et al. also recognized this issue and suggested increasing awareness and encouraging society to reduce barriers to infertility stigmas rooted in cultural beliefs.19
Health insurance coverage does not include infertility treatment. Some cases are able to have their insurance cover part of the testing, but the procedures are largely not covered. Thus, the procedures can be costly for patients, which creates a barrier to treatment. The participants mentioned that insurance should cover infertility treatment because infertility is a medical condition similar to any other condition. This finding was supported by Jain et al. and Peipert et al., who concluded that comprehensive mandated insurance coverage increased the utilization of these services, but decreased multiple birth rates.20,21 This factor was also supported by Al-Turki, who noted that a limited number of government hospitals in the Eastern Province offered IVF. The demand for more government infertility centers is clearly high due to the lack of insurance coverage and the number of patients who cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket for treatment in the private sector.5
One limitation of this study was the lack of current infertility statistics in Saudi Arabia. Owing to the sensitive nature of the research topic, it was challenging to find patients, particularly men, who were willing to share their experiences. As a result, most participants were women, which limits the male perspective in this study. Additionally, information about the private sector is not publicly available, and staff at private clinics are hesitant to be interviewed or share how they manage their infertility clinics and patients. This may have affected the study’s results by limiting insights into private clinic administrative perspectives and emphasizing those of government hospitals.
This study examines public perceptions and attitudes toward IVF-related services to identify the barriers encountered when seeking treatment. These findings reveal a growing concern regarding infertility, particularly highlighting male factor infertility as a significant issue. Participants identified several obstacles to accessing infertility services, including financial constraints, insufficient awareness, societal pressures, and the lengthy and complicated nature of the treatment processes.
Additionally, the limited availability of government resources and lack of insurance coverage for infertility treatments further intensify these challenges. Patients without insurance coverage should be able to receive treatment at government clinics. Moreover, there should be sufficient government clinics to accommodate patients who cannot afford treatment and who lack insurance coverage.22
Owing to the challenges encountered when interviewing administrative staff in private infertility clinics, there should be greater transparency of information, especially with researchers. This will help provide a comprehensive understanding of infertility services available in both the government and private sectors. Access to data can support further research on infertility and improve current infertility services by offering information and insights to decision makers. Dyer and Zegers-Hochschild highlighted the potential impact of registries on reproductive health. By utilizing registry data, individual centers and countries can benchmark their performance against national, regional, and global standards, thereby providing valuable insights for research. This aligns with the findings of Abduljabbar and Amin, who noted that Saudi Arabia could enhance its international contributions to Assisted Reproductive Technology practices by establishing a government-managed IVF registry, thereby facilitating the global exchange of information.23
Public health campaigns aimed at raising awareness about infertility causes, prevention, and treatment options can encourage early diagnosis and intervention, which will result in better outcomes. Furthermore, community awareness and engagement are key to lowering cultural stigmas.
Finally, to address one of the patients’ main concerns, navigating the complex and lengthy process of infertility treatment, we propose the use of case management. This policy recommendation can lead to the development of a systematic method in which a specialized professional, typically a nurse or care coordinator, assists patients in navigating intricate IVF procedures. Furthermore, research has demonstrated that this approach can enhance patient satisfaction. It also has the potential to alleviate anxiety and depression in individuals who have experienced pregnancy loss following in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Implementing such a policy in Saudi hospitals could streamline the process and positively impact patients’ mental health and overall quality of life.24
Ethical approval in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IRB-PGS-2023-03-259), and the data used in this study were collected as part of a master’s thesis. All participants’ information and interviews were handled with strict confidentiality. Before the interviews Before the interviews began, the participants signed consent forms to confirm their approval to participate.
The dataset is not publicly available due to research data-sharing restriction policies at our institution. Data and interview transcripts can be made available after removing participant-identifiable information. To request access to the data, please email the author, Ameina Alshallali, at [email protected]. Access will be granted on the condition that you provide the purpose for requesting the dataset.
The author(s) declared that no grants were involved in supporting this work.
Published: 31 Mar 2026, 14:1130
Published: 18 Feb 2026, 14:1130
Published: 17 Oct 2025, 14:1130
© 2026 Alshallali AAD and AL Shawan DS. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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ApprovedThe paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested
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Version 3
VERSION 3
PUBLISHED 31 Mar 2026
Revised
Reviewer Report 30 Jun 2026
Lucy Khofi, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Approved with Reservations
VIEWS 0
Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature?
Yes
Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound?
Yes
Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others?
Yes
If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate?
Yes
Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility?
Yes
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results?
Yes
References
1. Khofi L, Manderson L, Moyer E: Food insecurity, intimate partner violence, and barriers to sexual and reproductive health care among women in Lorentzville, South Africa. Social Science & Medicine. 2025; 369. Publisher Full TextCompeting Interests: No competing interests were disclosed.
Reviewer Expertise: Public Health
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VERSION 2
PUBLISHED 18 Feb 2026
Revised
Reviewer Report 02 Mar 2026
Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu, Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe
Approved with Reservations
VIEWS 0
Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature?
Yes
Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound?
Yes
Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others?
Partly
If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate?
Yes
Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility?
Yes
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results?
Yes
References
1. Obeagu E, Obeagu G: Hematological factors in women with Asherman syndrome and primary infertility: An overview. Medicine. 2025; 104 (43). Publisher Full TextCompeting Interests: No competing interests were disclosed.
Reviewer Expertise: Haematology, Immunology, Public Health, Oncology
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VERSION 1
PUBLISHED 17 Oct 2025
Reviewer Report 16 Dec 2025
Asmaa Alyaemni, King Saud University, Riyadh, Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia
Approved
VIEWS 0
Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature?
Yes
Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound?
Yes
Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others?
Yes
If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate?
Yes
Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility?
No source data required
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results?
Yes
Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed.
Reviewer Expertise: Heath care administrations research, qualitative studies
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