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Ignorance could hurt: an assessment of fertility awareness, childbirth intentions and parenting attitudes among university students.

Authors: ABIODUN Olumide

Publication Type: Journal article

Journal: Int J Adolesc Med Health.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND:

An emerging pattern of increasing median age at first birth among women has been well documented in Western countries. A similar but less remarkable trend is being experienced in sub-Saharan Africa. There is a paucity of information in Sub-Saharan Africa about awareness of age-related fertility decline. The aim of this study was to assess the perception of fertility, childbirth intentions and parenting attitudes among university students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A cross-sectional survey of 231 female and 158 male students randomly selected university undergraduates in Nigeria using a self-reported questionnaire.

RESULTS:

The respondents overestimated the ages of slight (92.1%) and marked decline (89.4%) in female fertility. The chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex during ovulation was overestimated by 93.1% of the respondents. Over three-quarters of them overestimated the success rate of in-vitro fertilization. The sources of information regarding fertility issues were mainly school (40.1%), the media (20.6%) and family members (18.8%). About 98.7% of the childless respondents reported an intention to have children in the future. The mean number of children desired was 3.29±1.14. Females desire to have their first and last children earlier than males (p=0.000). The perceived potential obstacles to having the desired children were the pursuit of career aspirations (35.5%) and the pursuit of personal interests (20.8%).

CONCLUSIONS:

Misconceptions about fertility issues have grave implications for involuntary childlessness and secondary infertility. Comprehensive family planning education that will address the misconceptions about female fecundity and parenting issues are required.

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ABIODUN,O. . (2016). Ignorance could hurt: an assessment of fertility awareness, childbirth intentions and parenting attitudes among university students., 30 (), 2-2.

ABIODUN,O. . "Ignorance could hurt: an assessment of fertility awareness, childbirth intentions and parenting attitudes among university students." 30, no (), (2016): 2-2.

ABIODUN,O. and . (2016). Ignorance could hurt: an assessment of fertility awareness, childbirth intentions and parenting attitudes among university students., 30 (), pp2-2.

ABIODUNO, . Ignorance could hurt: an assessment of fertility awareness, childbirth intentions and parenting attitudes among university students.. 2016, 30 ():2-2.

ABIODUN,Olumide , . "Ignorance could hurt: an assessment of fertility awareness, childbirth intentions and parenting attitudes among university students.", 30 . (2016) : 2-2.

A.Olumide , "Ignorance could hurt: an assessment of fertility awareness, childbirth intentions and parenting attitudes among university students." vol.30, no., pp. 2-2, 2016.

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