Jacky Boivin|Emily Koert|Tamara Harris|LA OShea|A Perryman|Kirby G. Parker|China Harrison
An experimental evaluation of the benefits and costs of providing fertility information to adolescents and emerging adults
Cardiff University|Cardiff University|Cardiff University|Cardiff University|Cardiff University|Cardiff University|Cardiff University
provision fertility compared control information affect fertilityrelated knowledge perceived threat infertility anxiety physical stress fertility plans adolescents emerging adultsthe provision fertility information associated increased fertility knowledge emerging adults greater infertility threat adolescents emerging adultsaccording fertility education research adolescents emerging adults know less know fertility topics fertility knowledge improved provision information older adultsexperimental design secondary university students completed preinformation questionnaires randomly assigned via computer experimental group read either fertility fertieduc group healthy pregnancy information control group completed postinformation questionnaires data collected group sessions via online portaleligible participants aged 1618 adolescents 2124 years emerging adults childless currently pregnant men partner pregnant trying conceive presumed fertile intending child future 255 invited 208 n 93 adolescents n 115 emerging adults participated fertieduc group received guide fertility four online pages information fertility topics eg men women fertile control group received four online pages national health service nhs pregnancy booklet baby bump beyond participants completed questionnaire fertility knowledge perceived threat infertility anxiety physical stress fertility plans moderators prior provision information mixed factorial analysis variance used examine effects information provision hierarchical multiple regression assess potential moderators knowledgethe fertieduc control groups equivalent age gender disability relationship status orientation baseline results showed fertility information significantly increased fertility knowledge emerging adults p 0001 threat infertility emerging adults adolescents p 005 moderators significant participation study associated increase feelings anxiety decrease physical stress reactions adolescents optimal fertility plans compared emerging adults due youngerthis experimental study selfselected sample men women selected educational institutions short term effects information studiedprovision fertility information benefits increased fertility knowledge also costs increase potential threat infertility adolescents find fertility information positive learn fertility education tailored according age groups created minimise negative effects longitudinal examination effects fertility information multicentre studies warranted include measures perceived threat infertilitycardiff university funded research authors conflicts interest declare