Evaluation of Knowledge and Attitudes of Female University Students about Ovarian Reserve Awareness and Technologies for Ovarian Reserve: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of female university students about ovarian reserve awareness and technologies for ovarian reserve. Materials and methods: This study was designed as a descriptive and cross-sectional study and was conducted on 660 female university students. The data were collected by using a questionnaire form based on the literature on ovarian reserve and related technologies. The mean, standard deviation and percentage distributions of the data obtained through the WEB page and face-to-face interview technique were analysed in the SPSS programme. Results: 86.2% of the students wanted to have children in the future and 75.8% planned to have children between the ages of 26-30. 56.7% of the students were aware of the availability of tests related to ovarian reserve and 86.6% of them demanded the development of new tests. In case of low ovarian reserve, 65.6% of the students stated that they could have children earlier, 68% could freeze their eggs, 51.2% could freeze their embryos, 73.8% could adopt a child and 84.7% could continue their work/education. Conclusion: It is remarkable that the majority of the students did not make any attempt for ovarian reserve evaluation although they wanted to have a child. Among the reasons for this situation, besides the fact that the students are still receiving education, they have false beliefs that their ovarian reserves will be sufficient at the age when they want to have children, that a healthy lifestyle and activity protect the ovarian reserve, and that they can have children with assisted reproductive techniques even if their ovarian reserves are low. It is important to evaluate the ovarian reserves of young women at an early stage in order for them to make a more conscious career and family planning.