An online survey of reproductive age working men on their knowledge and demand for information on fertility

Abstract

Objectives The objectives of this study were to ascertain the status of fertility knowledge among working men of reproductive age and to identify their information needs. Methods The study participants comprised 500 men aged 20--39 years (as of April 1, 2019) whose wives or partners had never given birth, who answered an online questionnaire in March 2020. The questions asked about their attributes, knowledge of fertility and information needs, concerns about their own health, and sources of information about pregnancy and childbirth. The questions about fertility consisted of 20 items, which comprised Saito's 2014 "13-item infertility knowledge scale", partly modified with permission and an additional seven questions written by the authors. Descriptive statistics were calculated, a stratified analysis based on background factors was performed, and the resulting 20-item scale was examined for reliability and validity. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Nursing, Toho University (Approval No. 2019010). Results The study population consisted of 500 men (mean age 29.8 ± 5.5 years), of whom 60.6% were university graduates, 45.6% wanted to have children, and 21.0% had a partner. After excluding 98 participants (19.6%) who answered "don't know" to all 20 items on fertility knowledge from the analysis, the mean correct score for fertility knowledge was 42.1% ± 23.9% (range 19.4%--67.7%). The correct score rate was significantly different for those who wanted to have children ( p = 0.03) and who had experienced infertility consultation ( p = 0.01), but was not associated with age, level of education, or the presence/absence of a partner. Questions about fertility consisted of 20 items, and their reliability and validity were confirmed. A total of 54.4% of the participants had information needs, and these needs were greatest concerning age, diet, and lifestyle. The proportion of participants with health concerns was 42.4%. Their sources of information about pregnancy and birth were their partners, the Internet, and social media. Conclusions Among men of reproductive age, wanting to have children and experiencing infertility consultation had a significant impact on their fertility knowledge. In light of the status of fertility knowledge among men of reproductive age and their needs, providing information, disseminating knowledge, and raising awareness is a task for the future.