Determination of Women's Fertility Awareness Levels and Influencing Factors

Abstract

Objective: In the present study, it was aimed to determine the fertility awareness levels of women of reproductive age and the factors affecting them. Methods: The sample of the cross-sectional study based on the general survey model using a quantitative approach included 686 women aged 18-49 years who met the inclusion criteria. The data were collected online via Google Forms using the Personal Information Form and Fertility Awareness Scale (FAS). Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA test were used to evaluate the data. Statistical significance was taken as p<0.05. Results: The mean age of the participants was 29.56±7.68 years (min:18 and max:50). The mean total score of the fertility awareness scale was 61.31±12.53, and the mean total scores of the sub-dimensions were 35.10±8.08 for physical awareness and 26.21±5.60 for cognitive awareness. When we look at the factors affecting the level of fertility awareness; age, educational status, employment status, occupation, presence of infertile individuals in the environment, research on fertility health and receiving fertility health education were found to be significantly related to the level of fertility awareness, while marital status was not. Conclusion: In the study, it was determined that women's fertility awareness level was at an intermediate level. It is predicted that trainings to be organized to increase the fertility awareness levels of health professionals, especially midwives, who are the most important care and counseling providers in women's reproductive health, will contribute to the protection of fertility health.