Effectiveness of a 1-h Reproductive Health Lecture on Enhancing Fertility Knowledge Among Japanese Female...

Despite growing public attention toward infertility treatments and elective oocyte cryopreservation, awareness of fertility among young adults remains limited. Accurate knowledge of age-related fertility declines and ovarian reserve is particularly lacking in nonmedical populations. Providing accurate knowledge about reproductive health is important when considering future life plans. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine the level of knowledge about infertility among undergraduate students and investigate the impact of a 1-h reproductive health lecture on them.

This study included female students aged 20-29 years who attended a 60-min lecture on reproduction between 2014 and 2018 at two non-medical universities in Aichi Prefecture. Anonymous questionnaires assessing knowledge of and attitudes toward fertility were administered before and after the lecture. Statistical comparisons were performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

In total, 712 students were included in the analysis. Students' knowledge of infertility significantly improved after the lecture (p < 0.01). Misconceptions regarding sex- and age-related infertility decreased, and understanding of risk factors, such as smoking, sexually transmitted infections, and body weight, increased. Awareness of ovarian reserve and interest in gamete cryopreservation increased significantly. Although no major change was observed in the students' desire to have children, there was a slight shift toward an earlier desired age for childbearing.

This brief educational intervention significantly improved fertility awareness among non-medical university students. Incorporating reproductive health education into general university curricula may help young adults make informed decisions regarding future fertility.