Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, UCL Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
Hum Fertil (Camb). 2023 Dec;26(2):302-311. doi: 10.1080/14647273.2022.2153349. Epub 2023 Jan 4.
As the average age of first-time parents continues to rise, there has been a concerted effort by educators, policy makers and several reproductive health groups to improve fertility awareness. This study explored fertility knowledge of lay men and women and healthcare professionals (HCPs) using the same test instrument, providing a new and unique perspective compared with previous studies. Results were obtained from 1082 survey respondents: 347 HCPs, 319 men and 413 women, 105 of whom were trying to conceive (TTC). A total of 35 interviewees were purposively sampled to include 9 HCPs, 13 men and 13 women from the reproductive age range and of varying ethnic and educational backgrounds. Interview data were transcribed and analysed using the framework method. The proportion of HCPs correctly answering the survey knowledge questions was 47.1 (95% CI = 41.7%, 52.5%) compared to 44.4% for women (95% CI = 38.9%, 50.1%); 49.9% (95% CI = 39.0, 59.9%) for women TTC; and 32.5% (95% CI = 27.1%, 37.9%) for men. HCPs were ranked as the most trusted source for seeking fertility information. Overall HCPs did not demonstrate better fertility knowledge than lay participants, with inconsistencies regarding where responsibility lies for providing the right information to patients. HCPs need to improve their knowledge about fertility to help improve patient's fertility awareness.
随着初育年龄的持续上升，教育工作者、政策制定者和多个生殖健康团体一直在共同努力，以提高人们对生育能力的认识。本研究使用相同的测试工具，调查了普通男性和女性以及医疗保健专业人员（HCP）的生育知识，与以往的研究相比，提供了一个新的独特视角。研究结果来自于 1082 名调查对象：347 名 HCP、319 名男性和 413 名女性，其中 105 名正在尝试怀孕（TTC）。总共选择了 35 名受访者进行深入访谈，其中包括 9 名 HCP、13 名处于生育年龄的男性和 13 名女性，他们来自不同的种族和教育背景。使用框架方法对访谈数据进行了转录和分析。正确回答调查知识问题的 HCP 比例为 47.1%（95% CI = 41.7%，52.5%），而女性的比例为 44.4%（95% CI = 38.9%，50.1%）；TTC 的女性比例为 49.9%（95% CI = 39.0%，59.9%）；男性比例为 32.5%（95% CI = 27.1%，37.9%）。HCP 被认为是寻求生育信息的最可信赖来源。总体而言，HCP 的生育知识并不比普通参与者更好，对于谁应该负责向患者提供正确的信息，存在不一致的看法。HCP 需要提高他们的生育知识水平，以帮助提高患者的生育意识。
