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Taking fertility for granted–a qualitative exploration of fertility awareness among young, childless men in Denmark and Sweden

Hviid Malling, Gritt Marie ; Schmidt, Lone ; Pitsillos, Tryfonas ; Hammarberg, Karin ; Tydén, Tanja ; Friberg, Britt LU ; Jensen, Inez and Ziebe, Søren (2022) In Human Fertility 25(2). p.337-348
Abstract

Most previous studies about fertility knowledge and attitudes among men have been based on quantitative methods using questionnaires with fixed-choice response options. The aims of this qualitative study were to explore childless young men’s reflections on fertility and infertility through semi-structured interviews. Danish (n = 17) and Swedish (n = 12) young childless men aged between 20 and 30 years in their last year of education were interviewed. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Few informants had considered their own fertility, and most were positive towards fertility treatment. The young men had inadequate knowledge about factors that can potentially impair male and female fertility. On average, the young men... (More)

Most previous studies about fertility knowledge and attitudes among men have been based on quantitative methods using questionnaires with fixed-choice response options. The aims of this qualitative study were to explore childless young men’s reflections on fertility and infertility through semi-structured interviews. Danish (n = 17) and Swedish (n = 12) young childless men aged between 20 and 30 years in their last year of education were interviewed. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Few informants had considered their own fertility, and most were positive towards fertility treatment. The young men had inadequate knowledge about factors that can potentially impair male and female fertility. On average, the young men each mentioned three different factors they believed influence male and female fertility: (i) health behaviour; (ii) factors beyond personal control; and (iii) age. None mentioned sexual transmitted infections (STIs) but most appeared aware of the effect of increasing age on fertility. The results of this study highlight the need for educational strategies to improve young men’s knowledge about fertility and the factors that influence it, particularly about the potential adverse effect of STIs on fertility.

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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Fertility awareness, knowledge, men, qualitative study; Nordic Countries, risk factors
in
Human Fertility
volume
25
issue
2
pages
337 - 348
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:85088840288
  • pmid:32720536
ISSN
1464-7273
DOI
10.1080/14647273.2020.1798516
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
fc5d465b-e51f-49e2-ae72-8a9cb7a08aaa
date added to LUP
2020-08-10 12:11:47
date last changed
2024-05-01 14:38:30
@article{fc5d465b-e51f-49e2-ae72-8a9cb7a08aaa,
  abstract     = {{<p>Most previous studies about fertility knowledge and attitudes among men have been based on quantitative methods using questionnaires with fixed-choice response options. The aims of this qualitative study were to explore childless young men’s reflections on fertility and infertility through semi-structured interviews. Danish (n = 17) and Swedish (n = 12) young childless men aged between 20 and 30 years in their last year of education were interviewed. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Few informants had considered their own fertility, and most were positive towards fertility treatment. The young men had inadequate knowledge about factors that can potentially impair male and female fertility. On average, the young men each mentioned three different factors they believed influence male and female fertility: (i) health behaviour; (ii) factors beyond personal control; and (iii) age. None mentioned sexual transmitted infections (STIs) but most appeared aware of the effect of increasing age on fertility. The results of this study highlight the need for educational strategies to improve young men’s knowledge about fertility and the factors that influence it, particularly about the potential adverse effect of STIs on fertility.</p>}},
  author       = {{Hviid Malling, Gritt Marie and Schmidt, Lone and Pitsillos, Tryfonas and Hammarberg, Karin and Tydén, Tanja and Friberg, Britt and Jensen, Inez and Ziebe, Søren}},
  issn         = {{1464-7273}},
  keywords     = {{Fertility awareness; knowledge; men; qualitative study; Nordic Countries; risk factors}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{337--348}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Human Fertility}},
  title        = {{Taking fertility for granted–a qualitative exploration of fertility awareness among young, childless men in Denmark and Sweden}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14647273.2020.1798516}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/14647273.2020.1798516}},
  volume       = {{25}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}