Identification of Reproductive Education Needs of Infertile Clients Undergoing Assisted Reproduction Treatment Using Assessment of Their Knowledge and Attitude

Objective In order to empower infertile clients and provide high quality patient-centered infertility care, it is necessary to recognize and meetinfertile clients’ educational needs.This study aimed toexamine infertility clients’ knowledge,and subsequently their education needs given their attitudinal approach to infertility education in infertile clientsundergoing assisted reproduction treatment. MaterialsAndMethods In this descriptive study,150 subjects were a convenience sample of all clientsreceiving assisted reproductive treatment for the first time between July and September 2015 in the largest referral fertility clinic, Royan institute, in Tehran, Iran.We used a questionnaire that measured fertility and infertility information (8 questions) and attitude toward education on the causes and treatment of infertility (5 questions).Chi-square independent sample t test and one way ONOVA analyses were conducted to examine differences by sex. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total mean knowledge was 3.08±0.99. Clients’ responses indicated that the highest mean knowledge scoreswere related to knowledge of factorsaffecting pregnancy and infertility treatment(3.97±1.11 and 3.97±1.16, respectively). The lowest mean knowledge scores were related to knowledge of natural reproductive cycle and anatomy of the genital organs (2.96±1.12 and 2.94± 1.16, respectively). Most of female and males (92.1% and 83.3%, respectively) were of the opinion that infertility education program should include causes of infertility and types of treatment associated with diagnostic and laboratory procedures, but no statistically significant difference was found between male and female participants (P=0.245). Conclusion The results suggest that most of participants in this study were aware of factors affecting pregnancy and infertility treatment. It is imperative to educate and empower infertile individuals seeking reproduction treatment in causes of infertility and types of treatment, as well as diagnostic and laboratory procedures to make informed decisions about their assisted reproductive procedure.