#310 : Infertility Misperception and Improper Health Seeking Behavior Between Urban and Rural Area in Indonesia
Background and Aims: The prevalence of infertility among reproductive-age couples in Indonesia is around 10-15%. Lack of understanding, misleading myths and negative attitude could result in improper behavior. This study aims to reveal the discrepancy between perception and behavior towards infertil...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
World Scientific Publishing
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Fertility & Reproduction |
| Online Access: | https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/10.1142/S266131822374273X |
| Summary: | Background and Aims: The prevalence of infertility among reproductive-age couples in Indonesia is around 10-15%. Lack of understanding, misleading myths and negative attitude could result in improper behavior. This study aims to reveal the discrepancy between perception and behavior towards infertility in urban and rural area in Indonesia. Method: Cross-sectional study using internet-based questionnaire was given to 408 individuals which divided into two groups, Java and outside Java representing urban and rural population respectively. All participants were above 18 years old who completed the questionnaire from October 2020 to April 2021. Results: Half respondents from both groups consider infertility a disease. All respondents have excellent access to information. Although more than 80% of subjects from each group have been exposed to infertility information, better understanding was observed in urban community. The majority of each group answered smoking as the main risk factor for infertility, followed by stress and advanced age. More respondents in rural areas have the wrong perception that stress cause infertility. Furthermore, they seek unwarranted advice, as 19.5% came to midwives and only 9.1% came to general practitioners. This study showed 35.6% of subjects in urban group and 41.6% in rural group are considered late to seek healthcare assistance. Most respondents from both groups accept the use of Assisted Reproductive Technology and fertility enhancing drugs as treatment options. Conclusion: Misperceptions about infertility are more prevalent in rural groups compared to urban group. Fertility education among both groups needs to be improved in order to optimize the chance of conceiving and having a healthy baby. |
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| ISSN: | 2661-3182 2661-3174 |