FertiSTAT: A Potential Tool for Adolescent Sexual Health

Catherine McCarey,Michal Yaron,Manuela Viviano

doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2021.04.007

Abstract

The FertiSTAT (fertility status awareness) tool provides personalized advice on reducing risk factors for infertility and seeking medical advice on the basis of lifestyle and reproductive profile. The aim of our research was to test the FertiSTAT tool in younger patients (14-24 years). A secondary objective was to screen for and evaluate knowledge of risk factors that affect fertility. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients aged 14-24 years attending consultations at Geneva University Hospitals received a quantitative questionnaire before consultations. Questions covered lifestyle, gynecological history, perception of fertility, and pregnancy intent. We investigated respondents' beliefs with regard to risk factors for infertility through "true/false" questions. We selected questions relevant to our population from the original FertiSTAT questionnaire to calculate each respondent's FertiSTAT score. Scores ranged from "blue" (low risk, score 1) to "red" (risk of infertility, score 4). A total of 279 women aged 14-24 years were included. Nonpregnant patients had overall higher FertiSTAT scores (2.7 ± 0.8). Upon logistic regression analysis, with every additional FertiSTAT point, the odds of being pregnant at the time of survey decreased by 0.48. Risk factors for infertility and knowledge of these risk factors were equally distributed between pregnant and nonpregnant women. Our findings suggest FertiSTAT might be a useful tool in the younger population to whom we extended it, and highlight gaps in knowledge on risk factors for infertility. These findings are of interest when considering FertiSTAT as a starting point to discuss contraception and risk factors for infertility at an age at which risk mitigation would prove most effective in preserving future fertility.

Highlights

In our practice with young adults, we noticed a high prevalence of behaviors that could compromise future fertility, such as unprotected intercourse, multiple partners, and regular smoking
Much research has been conducted on infertile patients regarding the knowledge of risk factors for infertility[4,5] and reproductive and contraceptive choices,[1,6,7,8,9,10,11] less is known about fertility awareness and attitudes in younger populations.[2,12,13,14,15]
Because a lower FertiSTAT score is associated with higher fertility rates, our findings suggest that the FertiSTAT score might be a useful instrument to discuss contraception and sexual health with all young women, perhaps even to increase motivation to use contraception

Summary

Introduction

In our practice with young adults, we noticed a high prevalence of behaviors that could compromise future fertility, such as unprotected intercourse, multiple partners, and regular smoking. This could be because of poor knowledge of risk factors for infertility.[1,2] In addition, many adolescents believe they are infertile and, despite being sexually active, do not use contraception.[3]. The ability to identify individual risk factors that can compromise future fertility or overall health would empower adolescents to make informed decisions on their current and future reproductive health

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Conclusion