Judith C Daniluk1, Emily Koert, Anthony Cheung. 1. Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. judith.daniluk@ubc.ca
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.
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.
Authors: Krista J Childress; Angela K Lawson; Marissa S Ghant; Gricelda Mendoza; Eden R Cardozo; Edmond Confino; Erica E Marsh Journal: Fertil Steril Date: 2015-05-21 Impact factor: 7.329