Infertility perceptions and associated factors among Korean undergraduate students: a cross-sectional study

South Korea faces a declining total fertility rate (0.72 in 2023) alongside rising infertility rates. Infertility is often interpreted within a pronatalist sociocultural context emphasizing marriage, parenthood, and traditional gender role expectations. Despite increasing infertility rates, little research has focused on how young adults-particularly university students-perceive infertility.

A descriptive correlational study was conducted with 159 unmarried university students (mean age = 21.6 years; 79.2% women). Participants completed an online survey measuring infertility perception (using the Infertility Perception Scale for Women, IPS-W), traditional gender stereotypes, and family values. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression.

The mean infertility perception score was 37.97 (SD = 8.23), indicating a moderately positive perception. Male students, those with religious affiliation, and those without exposure to media on assisted reproductive technology held significantly more negative perceptions (p < 0.05). Infertility perception was positively correlated with traditional gender stereotypes (r = 0.541) and family-oriented values emphasizing marriage and childbearing (r = 0.584). Multiple regression revealed that gender stereotypes (β = 0.370, (p < 0.001) and family values (β = 0.457, p < 0.001) together explained 49% of the variance in infertility perception (adjusted R² = 0.49).

Stronger endorsement of traditional gender roles and family-oriented values that prioritize childbearing was associated with more negative perceptions of infertility. Integrating gender-sensitive and media-supported infertility education into university curricula and public health strategies may improve perception, reduce stigma, and foster healthier reproductive decision-making.