Background: Reproductive health technology has evolved significantly since the introduction of in vitro fertilization in 1978, enhancing the possibility of conceiving children at later stages in life. Despite these advancements, there remains a critical gap in fertility knowledge among young adults, as demonstrated by recent studies. This gap is compounded by the growing influence of social media on health information, where misinformation can distort public understanding of fertility-related issues. Addressing this knowledge deficit is essential for empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their reproductive futures.
Objectives: With the increasing prevalence of older individuals becoming parents and the growing reliance on Assisted Reproductive Technologies for conception, our study aimed to assess fertility knowledge among young adults.
Design: This study employed a survey-based approach using Amazon's crowd-sourcing marketing platform, Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Participants were asked to complete a 17-question survey that included a section on demographic information. The questionnaire explored various aspects of knowledge and perceptions regarding male and female fertility.
Methods: The survey was completed by 983 participants aged 18-30, recruited through MTurk. Individuals outside this age range were excluded from the study. Participants received a $0.50 incentive for their participation.
Results: Notably, a high percentage of respondents correctly identified the age range at which female fertility (70.4% of participants) declines, while fewer (56.4% of participants) demonstrated awareness of the age range at which male fertility declines. Furthermore, an overwhelming majority exhibited appropriate knowledge regarding the impact of lifestyle factors, such as obesity and smoking, on fertility. The findings suggest an encouragingly high level of awareness among participants regarding fundamental fertility concepts. Approximately 63% of participants reported social media as a source of this information.
Conclusion: This study yields promising insights into fertility knowledge among young adults. However, it underscores a notable deficiency in understanding male fertility, emphasizing the imperative for further educational initiatives in this domain. These results also highlight the crucial role of healthcare providers in maintaining an online presence to disseminate valuable, evidence-based knowledge. By doing so, healthcare professionals can empower individuals to make informed decisions regarding fertility.
Keywords: fertility; health information; reproductive health; social media.
Reproductive knowledge in young adults Age is an important consideration when discussing fertility, however with the advancement in technology within the reproductive health and fertility field, individuals are pursuing parenthood at later stages of life. While sexual health education is commonly discussed in many public schools in the United States, the extent to which reproductive health and fertility is addressed is uncertain. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of reproductive health and fertility among both men and women seeking to understand the current landscape and identify potential gaps in educational content. We found that a high number of individuals were able to accurately identify the age range at which fertility declines in both men and women. Additionally, a majority of participants correctly recognized key factors such as obesity and smoking that can adversely affect fertility. Notably, a significant percentage of respondents reported social media as a source of information on this topic. This study revealed encouraging insights into the knowledge levels of reproductive health among young adults, while also highlighting slight differences in responses and knowledge among individuals with varying education levels and income. Additionally, through this study we emphasize the significance of continuous initiatives focused on reproductive health and fertility, taking into account the growing trend of young individuals relying on social media as a source of this information.
© The Author(s), 2024.