Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40826069›Full record

Observational studyBMC public health2025

Spatiotemporal evolution of online interest in assisted reproductive technology: a two-decade global analysis through google trends.

Ning Zhang, Xingyu Wan, Yuzhou Gao, Yang Yang, Haoyu He, Dongmei Ji

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Ning Zhang *Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Xingyu Wan *Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China.
Yuzhou Gao *Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Yang YangDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Haoyu HeDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Dongmei JiDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China. jidongmei@ahmu.edu.cn.

Funding

Center for Big Data and Population Health of IHM No. JKS2023015College Students' Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program of AHMU No. X202310366081"Early Contact with Research" Training Program of AHMU No. 2022-ZQKY-75, 2023-ZQKY-132, and 2023-ZQKY-181the Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of Anhui province No. 2022AH020072
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundOnline interest could serve as critical sentinel indicators for monitoring assisted reproductive technology (ART) demands, detecting regions with access inequities, and identifying shortcomings in policy frameworks; however, global online interest of ART has not been assessed. The study aims to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of online interest in ART globally.

methodsThe study follows retrospective observational design. Data were derived from Google Trends and Relative Search Volume (RSV) data across 230 countries and regions were collected. After quality control, data from 59, 76, 69, and 61 countries and regions were included for different search terms ("Assisted reproductive technology," "In vitro fertilization," "Intracytoplasmic sperm injection," and "Preimplantation genetic diagnosis," respectively). Weekly percentage changes (WPCs) and annual percentage changes (APCs) were used to quantify the temporal variations in online interest.

resultsGlobally, public online interest in ART demonstrated a distinct seasonal fluctuation, peaking during months 3-5 and 9-11, while declining in months 6-8 and 12 - 2. The global online interest showed a significant downward trend (APC = -11.22%, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: -18.44 to -8.61) from 2004 to 2011, followed by a gradual increase from 2011 to 2016 (APC = 1.76%, 95% CI: -7.64 to 11.99). Interest then rapidly increased from 2016 to 2019 (APC = 27.24%, 95% CI: 12.48 to 35.20), before continuing to decline after 2020 (APC = -6.54%, 95% CI: -12.52 to -3.05) with predictions indicating further decreases by 2030. Overall, Europe exhibited relatively higher online interest, while Africa and Oceania showed lower levels. In Europe, France (RSV = 76), Italy (RSV = 66), and Spain (RSV = 32) had notable interest in ART. Whereas, in Oceania and Africa, Australia (RSV = 8), New Zealand (RSV = 6), Tunisia (RSV = 16), Algeria (RSV = 16), and Nigeria (RSV = 10) showed lower levels of interest. Israel, Réunion (France), and France ranked as the top three countries or regions with the highest online interest in ART worldwide.

conclusionsGlobal online interest in ART shows significant variation across countries and regions, with a decline after 2020. To address these trends, ART resources and services should be allocated effectively based on seasonal and regional demand. Government action is needed to raise social awareness and improve the accessibility and utilization of ART.

Indexed as

InternetReproductive Techniques, AssistedSearch EngineHumansRetrospective StudiesSpatio-Temporal AnalysisAssisted reproductive technologyGoogle trendsInfodemiologyRSVSpatiotemporal analysis

Identifiers

PMID40826069
PMCPMC12359763

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.