Awareness, intentions and attitudes towards planned oocyte cryopreservation among female medical staff

Abstract

Research question: What are the awareness, intentions and attitudes of female medical staff towards planned oocyte cryopreservation?

Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during June 2019 among 171 female medical staff at a single tertiary hospital. The self-administered questionnaire consisted of 39 questions.

Results: A total of 151 responses (88%) were received from 13 doctors and 138 nurses. The mean age of the respondents was 26.4 years. Fewer than half of the women (47.7%) answered correctly on the age at which female fertility markedly declines. The study demonstrated that 28.5% of respondents considered themselves as 'potential freezers' while 30.5% would not consider the procedure. Potential freezers (58.1% versus 21.7%, P < 0.001) and older age participants (44.2% versus 28.4, P = 0.014) were more interested in consulting about fertility preservation during an obstetrician/gynaecologist (OB/GYN) visit. If respondents were to consider oocyte cryopreservation, they thought that lack of information would be a major obstacle to accepting the procedure (57.6%). Of the respondents, 85.3% believed that oocyte cryopreservation is a woman's right. A strong majority of respondents (96.0%) agreed or were neutral on the statement that all women have the right to receive education on fertility preservation during OB/GYN visits, but none had ever received medical education about fertility preservation, reflecting lack of access to fertility preservation care.

Conclusions: This study indicated that there was widespread awareness about planned oocyte cryopreservation among female medical staff. The majority of participants considered planned oocyte cryopreservation as a woman's right. There appears to be a critical need for proper education about fertility preservation.

Keywords: Attitudes; Awareness; Intentions; Planned oocyte cryopreservation; Survey.