Fertility awareness and knowledge among Indian women attending an infertility clinic: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background To evaluate fertility knowledge and awareness among infertile women attending an Indian assisted fertility clinic and their understanding of the menstrual cycle, how age affects fertility and need for assisted fertility treatment. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted inc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-10-01
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| Series: | BMC Women's Health |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12905-018-0669-y |
| _version_ | 1818360096068993024 |
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| author | Reeta Mahey Monica Gupta Shobha Kandpal Neena Malhotra Perumal Vanamail Neeta Singh Alka Kriplani |
| author_facet | Reeta Mahey Monica Gupta Shobha Kandpal Neena Malhotra Perumal Vanamail Neeta Singh Alka Kriplani |
| author_sort | Reeta Mahey |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background To evaluate fertility knowledge and awareness among infertile women attending an Indian assisted fertility clinic and their understanding of the menstrual cycle, how age affects fertility and need for assisted fertility treatment. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted including 205 women seeking fertility treatment at an assisted reproductive unit between March 2017 to August 2017. Patients were interviewed with the help of structured questionnaire by a fertility counsellor. The previous studies were reviewed and a questionnaire was made according to our patient profile and sociodemographic characteristics. Knowledge and awareness was stratified according to socioeconomic status (SES). Results Most women (59%) were aged between 20 to 30 years indicating concern about their fertility and need for evaluation. More than half (63%) women were from the middle socio-economic strata. Knowledge about fertility and reproduction was low: 85% were not aware of the ovulatory period in the menstrual cycle, only 8% considered age more than 35 years as the most significant risk factor for infertility and most were unaware of when to seek treatment for infertility after trying for pregnancy. Less than half of women understood the need for assisted fertility treatment and donor oocytes in advanced age. Conclusions Most Indian women across different SES are unaware of the effect of age on fertility. Targeted educational interventions are needed to improve knowledge regarding ideal age of fertility, factors affecting fertility potential and fertility options available for sub-fertile couples. Fertility counselling and information should be provided to young people at every contact with health care professionals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T20:55:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5f6ce3cc468947d1906211b5d2a19c08 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6874 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T20:55:21Z |
| publishDate | 2018-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-5f6ce3cc468947d1906211b5d2a19c082022-12-21T23:31:45ZengBMCBMC Women's Health1472-68742018-10-011811710.1186/s12905-018-0669-yFertility awareness and knowledge among Indian women attending an infertility clinic: a cross-sectional studyReeta Mahey0Monica Gupta1Shobha Kandpal2Neena Malhotra3Perumal Vanamail4Neeta Singh5Alka Kriplani6Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical SciencesDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Fellow Reproductive Medicine, All India Institute of Medical SciencesDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Medical Social Service Officer, All India Institute of Medical SciencesDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical SciencesDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical SciencesDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical SciencesDepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical SciencesAbstract Background To evaluate fertility knowledge and awareness among infertile women attending an Indian assisted fertility clinic and their understanding of the menstrual cycle, how age affects fertility and need for assisted fertility treatment. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted including 205 women seeking fertility treatment at an assisted reproductive unit between March 2017 to August 2017. Patients were interviewed with the help of structured questionnaire by a fertility counsellor. The previous studies were reviewed and a questionnaire was made according to our patient profile and sociodemographic characteristics. Knowledge and awareness was stratified according to socioeconomic status (SES). Results Most women (59%) were aged between 20 to 30 years indicating concern about their fertility and need for evaluation. More than half (63%) women were from the middle socio-economic strata. Knowledge about fertility and reproduction was low: 85% were not aware of the ovulatory period in the menstrual cycle, only 8% considered age more than 35 years as the most significant risk factor for infertility and most were unaware of when to seek treatment for infertility after trying for pregnancy. Less than half of women understood the need for assisted fertility treatment and donor oocytes in advanced age. Conclusions Most Indian women across different SES are unaware of the effect of age on fertility. Targeted educational interventions are needed to improve knowledge regarding ideal age of fertility, factors affecting fertility potential and fertility options available for sub-fertile couples. Fertility counselling and information should be provided to young people at every contact with health care professionals.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12905-018-0669-yFertilityAwarenessInfertilityKnowledgeParenthood |
| spellingShingle | Reeta Mahey Monica Gupta Shobha Kandpal Neena Malhotra Perumal Vanamail Neeta Singh Alka Kriplani Fertility awareness and knowledge among Indian women attending an infertility clinic: a cross-sectional study BMC Women's Health Fertility Awareness Infertility Knowledge Parenthood |
| title | Fertility awareness and knowledge among Indian women attending an infertility clinic: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Fertility awareness and knowledge among Indian women attending an infertility clinic: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Fertility awareness and knowledge among Indian women attending an infertility clinic: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fertility awareness and knowledge among Indian women attending an infertility clinic: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Fertility awareness and knowledge among Indian women attending an infertility clinic: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | fertility awareness and knowledge among indian women attending an infertility clinic a cross sectional study |
| topic | Fertility Awareness Infertility Knowledge Parenthood |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12905-018-0669-y |
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