Fertility Intentions and Awareness of Reproductive Aging among Final-Year Nigerian University Students
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Date
2019-05-08
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Publisher
Scientific Research Publishing Inc.
Abstract
The aim was to investigate university students’ intentions and towards future parenthood
and their awareness regarding reproductive aging by a cross sectional
survey of 167 male (40.6%) and 244 female (59.4%) students across two university
campuses in southwest Nigeria. Data was collected by a self-administered
questionnaire and was analyzed using SPSS v.20. Analyses showed that female
students were inclined to begin and end childbearing earlier than males (p =
0.000). Only 18.3% of male and 21.5% of female students correctly identified
that female fertility markedly decreases by age 35. Males were significantly
more likely to overestimate female fecundity above age 35; p = 0.000. Almost
half of females (46.5%) intended to have children after age 35 years but 42.9%
overestimated the probability of conception above 35 years of age. Intention
to continue childbearing into older ages based on incorrect perceptions of reproductive
aging could lead to involuntary childlessness among a population
that values childbearing. Appropriate education to improve fertility awareness
and knowledge could help young adults properly plan and make informed
reproductive decisions.
Description
Fertility Intentions and Awareness of Reproductive Aging among Final-Year Nigerian University Students
Keywords
Fertility Awareness, Intentions, Reproductive Aging, University Students