Young Women's Knowledge About Fertility and Their Fertility Health Risk Factors

Objective: To explore the relationships among young women's demographic characteristics, their self-perceived and actual knowledge about fertility, and their fertility health risk factors. Design: A quantitative, cross-sectional study. Setting: Online survey. Participants: Young women between the ages of 18 and 24 years (N = 342). Methods: We used an online survey to collect data from young women regarding their demographic characteristics, their self-perceived and actual knowledge about fertility, and their fertility health risk factors. We used multiple linear regression to explore the relationships among these factors. Results: Participants were mainly White, had some form of college education, and used a variety of contraception methods. Regression modeling indicated that participants' self-perceived knowledge and actual knowledge about fertility and their methods of contraception were significantly associated with their fertility health risks (R-2 = .13, p < .001). Participants who had higher actual scores of knowledge about fertility and who used fertility awareness methods had fewer self-reported fertility health risk factors. A greater level of self-perceived knowledge about fertility was associated with more fertility health risk factors. Age, education level, and pregnancy history were not significantly associated with fertility health risks. Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence that knowledge about fertility is important to enhance fertility self-care for young women. The significant relationship between young women's knowledge about fertility and their fertility health risks highlights the need to assess their knowledge and teach them about fertility as important components of preconception care. Such education may help them avoid fertility health risks and protect young women's current and future fertility.