Fertility Health Knowledge in U.S. Adults: Men Narrowing the Knowledge Gap

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Public Health Education
• Health Literacy

Background:

• Young people's fertility health knowledge is often confined to pregnancy prevention and STI avoidance.
• This limited scope neglects crucial factors for future reproductive and overall health.
• A comprehensive understanding of fertility health is essential for informed life choices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess university students' knowledge of fertility health factors.
• To identify consistencies and discrepancies in fertility health knowledge among students.
• To specifically evaluate men's knowledge of fertility health.

Main Methods:

• A 30-question Fertility Health Knowledge survey was administered to 2,692 university students across three American universities.
• The survey included questions on modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for fertility in both men and women.
• Data analysis compared knowledge levels between genders and across demographic groups.

Main Results:

• Overall correct response rates were 63% for females and 61% for males.
• Knowledge gaps were evident across 10 questions where less than 70% answered correctly.
• Males demonstrated superior knowledge regarding male fertility factors and slightly higher overall fertility health knowledge.

Conclusions:

• Fertility health knowledge among university students is consistently limited, irrespective of demographics.
• There are significant gaps in understanding modifiable risk factors affecting fertility and long-term health.
• Enhanced, comprehensive fertility health education is recommended in educational institutions and primary care settings, including males.