Ovulation monitoring and fertility knowledge: Their relationship to fertility experience in a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
Various aspects of fertility knowledge, including the timing of the fertile window, have consistently been found to be poor. Limited evidence also suggests ovulation monitoring to time intercourse could be common. However, there have been no studies that compare these two aspects of fertility and women's fertility/infertility experiences.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the frequency of ovulation monitoring and its relationship with fertility knowledge and experience.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of women aged 25-50 years resident in southern New Zealand was undertaken in 2011. Randomly selected women were asked to complete a fertility questionnaire. Outcome prevalence measures were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and associations investigated using χ2tests and Poisson regression.


RESULTS
Ovulation monitoring was common, having ever been undertaken by 31.4% (95% CI: 28.5-34.3%) of the 1034 participants. However, knowledge was poor, particularly regarding the fertile window. More women who had ever monitored ovulation correctly identified the fertile window, although the proportion was still very low (18.4 vs 13.1% in those who had not, P = 0.027). Regression modelling showed ovulation monitoring was independently associated with seeking medical help to conceive, education and fertility experience, but not with knowledge.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms ovulation monitoring was commonly undertaken. However, many women, including those who had monitored their ovulation, had poor fertility knowledge and failed to identify the fertile window. Poor fertility knowledge needs to be addressed, especially among women intending to conceive.
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Antoinette
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2822-4842
A
Righarts
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Nigel P
NP
Dickson
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Lianne
L
Parkin
Department of Women's and Children's Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Wayne R
WR
Gillett
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D010061:Ovulation Detection / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
fertile window; infertility; knowledge; ovulation monitoring