Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge about fertility and assisted human reproduction (AHR) treatments of a large sample of childless women.
DESIGN: Self-report questionnaire comprising two self-ratings of current fertility and AHR knowledge, and 16 knowledge questions related to fertility and AHR.
SETTING: Online.
PATIENT(S): A total of 3,345 childless women between the ages of 20 and 50.
INTERVENTION(S): None.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Knowledge of fertility and AHR.
RESULT(S): The majority of participants rated themselves as having some knowledge or being fairly knowledgeable about fertility and AHR. However, on the 16 knowledge questions, overall knowledge was low, with 50% or more of the sample answering only 6 of 16 questions correctly.
CONCLUSION(S): The data suggest that the women in the study have no coherent body of knowledge regarding age-related fertility and AHR treatment options. With an increasing number of women electing to delay childbearing, there is a critical need for public education regarding age-related fertility declines and the availability, costs, and limitations of AHR. This study offers important mental health contributions to infertility prevention and public health education efforts.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Fertility and Sterility |
| Volume | 97 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Pages (from-to) | 420-6 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| ISSN | 0015-0282 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Copyright © 2012 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Keywords
- Adult
- Age Factors
- Female
- Fertility
- Health Care Costs
- Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
- Health Literacy
- Humans
- Infertility, Female/economics
- Internet
- Middle Aged
- Patient Education as Topic
- Reproductive Behavior/psychology
- Reproductive Techniques, Assisted/economics
- Risk Factors
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Young Adult