Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding conception and fertility: a population-based survey among reproductive-age United States women.
OBJECTIVE
To assess overall knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to conception and fertility among reproductive-age women in the United States.


METHODS
Online survey of a cross-sectional sample of 1,000 women.


METHODS
United States, March 2013.


METHODS
Women aged 18-40 years.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding selected topics in reproductive health.


RESULTS
Forty percent of women across all age groups expressed concerns about their ability to conceive. Yet one-third of women were unaware of adverse implications of sexually transmitted infections, obesity, or irregular menses for procreative success, and one-fifth were unaware of the effects of aging. Approximately 40% were unfamiliar with the ovulatory cycle. Overall, younger women (18-24 years) demonstrated less knowledge regarding conception, fertility, and ovulation, whereas older women tended to believe in common myths and misconceptions. Respondents in all age groups identified women's health care providers (75%) and Web sites (40%) as top sources of reproductive health-related information; however, engagement with providers on specific factors affecting fertility is sparse.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge regarding ovulation, fertility, and conception is limited among this sample of reproductive-age US women. Future initiatives should prioritize improved provider engagement and accurate information dissemination in Web-based venues.
Section of Clinical and Outcomes Research in Women's Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut. Electronic address: lisbet.lundsberg@yale.edu.
Lisbet S
LS
Lundsberg
Section of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Lubna
L
Pal
Section of Clinical and Outcomes Research in Women's Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Aileen M
AM
Gariepy
Section of Clinical and Outcomes Research in Women's Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Xiao
X
Xu
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Program, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York.
Micheline C
MC
Chu
Section of Clinical and Outcomes Research in Women's Health, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Jessica L
JL
Illuzzi
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D060728:Reproductive Health / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
Knowledge; conception; fertility; ovulation