U.S. Women's Knowledge of Reproductive Biology

Having accurate knowledge of reproductive biology can help women to improve their general, sexual, and reproductive health and assert their sexual and reproductive rights. This cross-sectional study examined knowledge of three topics (age-related fertility decline, egg supply, fertile period) among...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Women's health issues 2023-01, Vol.33 (1), p.54-66
Main Authors: Fowler, Christina I., Koo, Helen P., Richmond, Alicia D., Creel, Darryl, Asman, Kat
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biology
Child
Counseling
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Fertility
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Intention
Pregnancy
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Summary:Having accurate knowledge of reproductive biology can help women to improve their general, sexual, and reproductive health and assert their sexual and reproductive rights. This cross-sectional study examined knowledge of three topics (age-related fertility decline, egg supply, fertile period) among a national probability sample of 1,779 nonsterilized, English-speaking women (aged 18–29 years) in the U.S. general population. Using bivariate and multivariable regressions, we assessed associations between knowledge of these topics and individual characteristics. Most respondents were unmarried (63%), childless (78%), and intended to have children (65%); 51% did not know whether they would have difficulty conceiving, and 44% had discussed fertility-related topics with a health care provider. More respondents knew the age of marked fertility decline (62%) than the fertile period (59%) or that ovaries do not continuously produce new eggs (45%); 22% knew all three topics, and 13% knew none. In multivariable analysis, knowledge was positively associated (p 
ISSN:1049-3867
1878-4321
DOI:10.1016/j.whi.2022.05.004