Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the general knowledge and attitudes about assisted reproductive technology (ART) and the influence of sociodemographic features on knowledge and attitudes in a large sample of men and women of reproductive age in Hungary. A cross-sectional online survey study was conducted among 1370 men and women between 18 and 50 years of age in Hungary. The questionnaire included questions about self-rated knowledge, an attitude item, and eight questions concerning general knowledge about ART. In addition, participants were asked sociodemographic background questions. The results show that approximately half of the respondents (49.3%) rated themselves as fairly knowledgeable about ART. However, 56% of the respondents answered just three of the eight knowledge questions correctly. Both men and women had limited knowledge about the success rate of ART, the costs of ART and the age limit to access ART. The greatest lack of knowledge about ART was about its risks: the majority of respondents did not know that in-vitro fertilization poses health risks for women and conceived children. Regarding attitudes, the majority of respondents had a very positive attitude towards ART. Only those respondents who were religious were less supportive of ART. These data suggest that men and women of reproductive age overestimate their ART-related knowledge. As most men and women would like to have biological children in Hungary, there is a critical need for public education.
Highlights
The number of children born through assisted reproductive technology (ART) has increased markedly since 1978, when the first baby conceived through in-vitro fertilization (IVF) was born
As we wanted to involve both genders in our research, the two questionnaires were unified; some of the items were adjusted to the Hungarian context. This questionnaire consisted of three parts: the first part asked about self-rated levels of knowledge about fertility and ART, and respondents’ attitudes towards ART
Higher-educated participants were over-represented (89.6%) in this sample. This does not contradict the objectives of this study, namely to examine knowledge about ART and attitudes towards ART among those who postpone their childbearing and potential users of ART
Summary
The number of children born through assisted reproductive technology (ART) has increased markedly since 1978, when the first baby conceived through in-vitro fertilization (IVF) was born. The postponement of parenthood is due to many factors, such as lack of a suitable partner (Szalma and Takacs, 2015), conflicting work obligations (Mills et al, 2008; Dommermuth et al (2017)) and extended education (Beaujouan et al, 2016; Berrington and Pattaro, 2014). It is unknown whether women and men who delay their parenthood make this choice with the full knowledge of its consequences (Wyndham et al, 2012)
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