Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39024399›Full record

ArticlePloS one2024

Prevalence and help-seeking for infertility in a population with a low fertility rate.

Mei-Chuan Lee, Pei-Shan Chien, Yue Zhou, Tsung Yu

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Article in PloS one, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

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3citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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  3. EnhancingGynecology and minimally invasive therapy
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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Mei-Chuan LeeDepartment of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Pei-Shan ChienDepartment of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Yue ZhouDepartment of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Tsung YuDepartment of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.ORCID 0000-0002-5773-3665

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn Taiwan there has been limited research of epidemiological surveys on prevalence of infertility. This study aimed to provide the updated prevalence of primary infertility and of help-seeking among residents in Taiwan.

methodsBetween February and March 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional population-based telephone survey of 1,297 men and women aged 20-49 years who were residing in Taiwan. We used computer-assisted telephone interviewing techniques to collect data regarding sociodemographic and reproductive characteristics. Using two approaches to defining infertility, we estimated the prevalence of infertility and the prevalence of help-seeking behaviors. Our analyses accounted for survey weighting.

resultsThe response rate was 27.9%. Among 1,297 respondents, 829 (63.9%) were married or cohabiting, including 404 men and 425 women. The prevalence of primary infertility using definition 1 was 5.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.2% - 7.4%); the prevalence of primary infertility using definition 2 was 6.7% (5.1% - 8.6%). Regarding professional help-seeking, 11.1% (9.2%-13.5%) had ever consulted a doctor about getting pregnant; 9.9% (8.1%-12.2%) had ever received diagnostic tests/treatment to help with conceiving; 2.6% (1.6% - 4.0%) were currently receiving diagnostic tests/treatment to help with conceiving.

conclusionOur nationwide survey of the prevalence of primary infertility in Taiwan suggests that the prevalence was not as high as what is often seen in the news reports (about 14%). These findings also suggest there may be a gap between those who are currently experiencing infertility and those who are currently being treated; hence, we call for raising awareness of infertility and improving access to infertility healthcare.

Indexed as

Help-Seeking BehaviorInfertilityAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPatient Acceptance of Health CarePregnancyPrevalenceSurveys and QuestionnairesTaiwanYoung Adult

Identifiers

PMID39024399
PMCPMC11257226

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