Fertility Awareness and Attitudes Toward Parenthood Among University Students in Chitwan, Nepal: A Cross-Sectional...

Fertility refers to the biological capacity to achieve pregnancy, whereas fertility awareness involves understanding the timing of the fertile window within the menstrual cycle. However, an increasing number of women and men are postponing parenthood, often without adequate awareness of age-related fertility decline. This may lead to involuntary childlessness and infertility-related stress. Fertility awareness among, particularly university students, remains limited, and evidence on their attitudes toward parenthood is insufficient. This study aimed to assess fertility awareness and attitudes toward parenthood among university students.

A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among university students in Bharatpur, Chitwan, from March 15 to 30, 2024. A proportionate simple random sampling technique was used to select 415 respondents. Data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire to assess fertility awareness and attitudes toward parenthood. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22 with descriptive statistical method (frequency, percentage) and inferential statistics (chi-square, logistic regression).

The study found that more than half of the participants (54.4%) fall below the adequate level, with 30.8% exhibiting moderate level and 23.6% showing inadequate awareness and unfavorable attitudes toward parenthood (52.8%). Fertility awareness was significantly associated with marital status. Attitudes toward parenthood were significantly associated with age (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] = 3.54, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 2.31-5.45, p < 0.001), ethnicity (AOR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.07-2.60, p = 0.023), and religion (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.08-3.34, p = 0.025).

Overall, university students demonstrated limited fertility awareness and less favorable attitudes toward parenthood. Knowledge gaps on fertility decline, ovulation, and infertility risk factors may lead to delayed decisions. Attitudes were significantly associated with age, ethnicity, and religion. These findings highlight the need for structured, age-appropriate fertility education and counseling integrated into university curricula and services to support reproductive decision-making.