International Journal of Infertility & Fetal Medicine

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VOLUME 13 , ISSUE 2 ( May-August, 2022 ) > List of Articles

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Fertility Awareness and Knowledge among Infertile Women in Georgia: A Cross-sectional Study

Tengiz Verulava, Marina Pirtskhalava

Keywords : Awareness, Fertility, Infertility, In vitro fertilization

Citation Information : Verulava T, Pirtskhalava M. Fertility Awareness and Knowledge among Infertile Women in Georgia: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Infertil Fetal Med 2022; 13 (2):72-77.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10016-1284

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 16-06-2022

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2022; The Author(s).


Abstract

Aim: Infertility has an impact on both demographics and social events. The study aims to evaluate fertility knowledge, awareness, and practices among infertile women. Materials and methods: Quantitative cross-sectional study design was used. The study population included 105 infertile women that referred to the specialized infertility clinic in Tbilisi (Georgia). Results: Respondents used to visit doctors to get treatment for their infertility at a very late stage. The treatment was financially affordable for only 20% of patients. A significant part of respondents (42.9%) were smokers, which indicates that they have lack of knowledge about the effects of lifestyle factors on fertility. The majority of respondents (78%) were aware that fertility declines with age; however, only 21% of participants could correctly identify the critical age threshold of 36 years, after which it becomes difficult to achieve pregnancy. The fertile window in the menstrual cycle was missed by approximately 77% of participants. On inquiry regarding the ovulatory period, it was found that only 12.6% (n = 12) were aware that the mid-cycle is the most likely phase to achieve pregnancy. Most respondents (93%) believed that past history of pill intake was associated with infertility. People often incorrectly attribute infertility to contraceptive pill use. The majority of respondents (53%) believed that it was possible to achieve pregnancy at 50 years, either naturally or with the help of assisted reproductive technique with self-oocytes. Conclusion: The study demonstrated a low level of public awareness. It is advisable to increase the affordability of infertility treatment and improve reproductive education initiatives to increase fertility awareness. Increasing the level of knowledge of risk factors and fertility practices has important public health implications and may help to decrease the incidence of infertility. Targeted fertility education and public enlightenment programs may help in reducing the number of women experiencing infertility and also enable timely referral for assisted fertility treatment.


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