Fertility Awareness and Parenthood Intentions Among Physicians in Jazan, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction Many physicians face delays in childbearing due to demanding medical training and work environments, leading to high rates of infertility. In Saudi Arabia, societal shifts such as increased female education and professional participation further influence reproductive behavior. This study aimed to assess fertility awareness, intentions, and attitudes toward parenthood among physicians in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among family and general physicians working in eight healthcare sectors in Jazan. A stratified random sampling method with proportional allocation was used, targeting a minimum sample size of 284. Participants were invited via email to complete a self-administered questionnaire adapted from the literature, covering fertility awareness, childbearing intentions, influencing factors, and demographic characteristics. Statistical significance was set at < 0.05. Results The median age of participants was 36 years; 55.4% were male and 44.6% were female. Most had children, and 73.5% intended to have (more) children. Peak female fertility was identified as 20-24 years, with 25-29 years being the age of slight fertility decline. The average willingness to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) was 7.8%. Reported obstacles included education, personal interests, and career advancement. Conclusion Physicians in Jazan demonstrated moderate fertility awareness, with notable gaps in knowledge of age-related fertility decline and IVF success rates. Parenthood intentions were influenced more by relationship and lifestyle factors than by medical knowledge. Targeted fertility education and workplace support are needed to empower physicians to make informed reproductive decisions aligned with their professional and personal goals.