2023년도 경기도 한의약 난임지원사업 결과 분석 연구

Abstract

Objectives: This study seeks to evaluate the outcomes of the 2023 Gyeonggi-do Korean Medicine Infertility Treatment Support Project, assess the project’s success and participant satisfaction, and suggest improvement strategies by comparing these results to data from the past 4 years. Ultimately, the study aims to provide recommendations for effective and sustainable infertility treatment support in the future. Methods: A total of 246 women and 197 spouses took part in the Korean Medicine infertility treatment support project, which included herbal medicine, acupuncture, and counseling sessions over a three-month period, followed by an additional three-month follow-up. Data regarding the participants’ general, demographic, and infertility-related characteristics were collected prior to treatment, and treatment details administered by Korean Medicine practitioners were documented during the treatment phase. Following treatment, outcomes and satisfaction levels were evaluated. Safety was assessed through blood tests and adverse event monitoring conducted before and after the treatment period. Results: Of the 246 women, 224 successfully completed the treatment program, with 21 women (9.4%) achieving pregnancy. Among them, 20 women (9.3%) conceived through herbal medicine treatment alone. Out of the 20 women who became pregnant through herbal treatment alone, 15 successfully maintained their pregnancies for more than 12 weeks, while four experienced miscarriages. A satisfaction survey revealed that 89.3% of the participants were satisfied with the treatment outcomes. Over the past four years, the average age of participants has continued to rise, surpassing 38 years-the critical age for fertility decline-both in 2022 and 2023. Increases in marriage duration, time spent attempting conception, premature births, miscarriages, and prior infertility treatments are presumed to have contributed to the declining pregnancy rates. Conclusions: This study analyzes and compares the clinical outcomes of the 2023 Gyeonggi-do Korean Medicine Infertility Treatment Support Project with data from the previous four years. From this analysis, strategies to enhance pregnancy success rates are suggested, such as implementing age restrictions for participants, integrating Korean Medicine with assisted reproductive techniques, and standardizing herbal prescriptions. These findings offer a critical basis for developing future infertility support programs and related policy frameworks.