Daniluk JC, Koert E, Cheung A.
Childless women's knowledge of fertility and assisted human reproduction: identifying the gaps. Fertil Steril. 2012 Feb;97(2):420-6. Epub 2011 Dec 21.
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.