Fertility Knowledge, Childbearing Intentions and Attitudes Towards Social Egg Freezing: a Study of Female Students of a Private University in Kumasi, Ghana

Fertility Knowledge, Childbearing Intentions and Attitudes Towards Social Egg Freezing: a Study of Female Students of a Private University in Kumasi, Ghana | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Fertility Knowledge, Childbearing Intentions and Attitudes Towards Social Egg Freezing: a Study of Female Students of a Private University in Kumasi, Ghana Millicent Osaah, Vida Maame Kissiwaa Amoah, Herbert Ekoe Dankluvi, and 5 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4524125/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 08 Oct, 2024 Read the published version in BMC Women's Health → Version 1 posted 4 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background As women increasingly delay childbearing for educational and career pursuits, understanding the age-related decline in ovarian reserve becomes crucial to avoid infertility. Egg freezing offers a solution, extending the window for achieving pregnancy with a biological child. However, awareness and acceptance of age-related fertility decline and elective egg freezing vary across countries and social groups. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study investigates fertility awareness, childbearing intentions, and attitudes toward elective egg freezing among 138 undergraduate female students at a private university in Kumasi, Ghana. Data collection employed convenience sampling and a Google-App-based questionnaire. Results The majority of respondents were young (below 28 years) (76.3%), Christians (79.26%), and single (57. 78%). Many respondents overestimated their knowledge of age-related fertility decline, with almost half (48.89%) incorrectly believing it occurs after age 40. Primary sources of fertility education included health professionals, the Internet, and television. While most (62.96%) considered childbearing necessary, they would not have a child without a partner. Acceptance of donor egg in-vitro fertilization (IVF) varied based on circumstances, and a significant portion were open to donating their eggs (41.48%). Awareness of elective egg freezing was low, but nearly half (48.89%) expressed interest in it, primarily to retain the option for a biological child. The cost of elective egg freezing was a significant deterrent. Conclusions The study revealed a significant lack of awareness regarding age-related fertility decline and elective egg freezing among female university students in Kumasi. Most prefer having a biological child only with a partner. While few were open to donating their eggs or accepting the same to achieve a pregnancy, interest in elective egg freezing was notable, albeit hindered by cost barriers. The study recommends enhanced education by health professionals using social media and television to address these gaps. Attitudes Childbearing Intentions Fertility Knowledge Social Egg Freezing Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 INTRODUCTION Globally, many women are postponing marriage and childbearing due to various factors such as economic challenges, pursuing higher education, acquiring trade skills, and advancing their careers. ( 1 ) ( 2 ). A few decades ago, early or child marriages were prevalent in Africa, including Ghana, with multiple births being common. However, there is evidence suggesting a shift towards delayed marriages and childbirth in these regions. ( 3 ). These delays can stem from voluntary choices or involuntary circumstances, contributing to issues of infertility. In rural Ghana, for instance, infertility affects approximately 11.8% of women and 15.8% of men, underscoring the significance of these trends. ( 4 ) Women are becoming increasingly aware of their age-related fertility decline and the potential to expand their reproductive lifespan through elective egg freezing using Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) ( 5 ), ( 6 ), ( 7 ). Fertility preservation through egg freezing does not require sperm at the time of egg collection. Therefore, women who freeze their eggs for social reasons save themselves the pressure of looking for a suitable partner while their biological clocks tick. They can also pursue their professional and career goals while maintaining the potential to have a biological child through IVF treatment when advanced in age. Despite the devastating consequences of infertility or childlessness, few women have adequate knowledge about its causes ( 8 ), ( 9 ), ( 10 ), ( 11 ), ( 12 ), especially the decline of ovarian reserve with age ( 13 ), ( 14 ), ( 15 ). This lack of awareness of the age-related decline in fertility can lead to unnecessary delays in childbearing, depletion of ovarian reserve, and childlessness ( 16 ). The risk of involuntary childlessness increases with age from 2–3% for women under 30 years to 36% for those over 40 years ( 17 ). Egg freezing for non–medical reasons, also referred to as elective egg freezing or social egg freezing, if done for social reasons such as being single or without a suitable partner, has become increasingly common ( 10 ), ( 18 ), ( 19 ), ( 20 ). Even though it helps women to prolong their reproductive life span, it is associated with some misconceptions and stigmatization ( 21 ). Knowledge and acceptance rate of egg freezing varies globally ( 22 ). It offers better outcomes for live births when the woman is less than 35 years old ( 23 ), ( 24 ), ( 25 ). However, most women become aware of fertility preservation opportunities only after age 35 ( 15 ), ( 18 ), ( 21 ), ( 26 ), ( 27 ). Egg freezing is more acceptable among the younger generation than the old, with a 40–85% range. ( 18 ), ( 28 ), ( 29 ). The older women consider women who freeze their eggs selfish and greedy ( 18 ), ( 21 ). The cost of elective egg freezing is prohibiting for many eligible and desirous women. ( 15 ), ( 21 ), ( 30 ), ( 28 ), ( 31 ). Appropriate and timely health education can prevent delays in childbearing and the need for elective egg freezing. With awareness and wherewithal, women in many developed countries have avoided childlessness by freezing their eggs early ( 32 ); ( 27 ). There is a paucity of data on the awareness of Ghanaian women about their age-related decline in fertility and the opportunity to prolong their reproductive life span through egg freezing. The knowledge of Ghanaian women about elective egg freezing, its cost, and its success rates, as well as the factors that would influence them to consider fertility preservation for social reasons, have not been explored. Most university students are single and would soon have to choose between marriage and childbearing, career progression, and pursuing higher academic qualifications. These choices, if uninformed, could lead to childlessness. Awareness of infertility and its causes and the opportunity to prolong their reproductive lifespan through elective egg freezing would influence their choices positively. A well-informed graduate could be a community ambassador for elective egg freezing. Aim of the study This study aimed to determine fertility knowledge, childbearing intentions, and attitudes toward elective egg freezing among female undergraduate students in Kumasi. It addressed the following research questions: (a) What is the level of awareness of age-related diminishing ovarian reserve and social egg freezing among college students in Kumasi? (b) What are the intentions of these college students towards childbearing and their careers? (c) Will Ghanaian college students accept childbearing with frozen or donor eggs? The findings of this study provide baseline data on the level of awareness of young Ghanaian women about their natural decline of fertility and its preservation as they advance in age and defer childbearing. Our study serves as the model for future research on the subject. It also provides fertility doctors in Ghana with some reference material on Ghanaians' information gaps and concerns for essential policy proposals, education, and advocacy on social egg freezing. METHODS Study Design The study utilized a cross-sectional design and investigated female students' fertility knowledge, childbearing intentions, and attitudes toward social egg freezing in a private university in Kumasi, Ghana. The study included single, married, or separated female students without biological children or those who retained the desire for more children in the future despite having a child or children in a previous relationship. The respondents aged 18 to 38, who were pursuing their first degree in nursing and midwifery, were conveniently sampled to participate in the study. We sent a Google App-based structured questionnaire adapted from previously validated questionnaires with open and closed-ended questions through WhatsApp Class Group Pages to level 300 and 400 female students at the Garden City University College in Kumasi, Ghana, to collect data. We received one hundred and thirty-eight (138) responses. After opening the Google-based form sent to them by WhatsApp, they received a pop-up with respondent information, indicating that they had given their informed consent by proceeding to fill out the form. Only those who consented could proceed to answer the questionnaire. Ethical approval , Ref: CHRPE/AP/057/24, was obtained from the Committee for Human Research, Publications and Ethics (CHRPE) of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Sample Size We used Slovin's formula to calculate the sample size for this study. $$n=\frac{N}{(1+N{e}^{2})}$$ Where 'n' is the estimated sample size for a finite population, N is the population size, and 'e' is the margin of error taken as 5%. The estimated sample size thus, n = N / (1 + Ne 2 ): gives; n = 200/1 + 200(0.05) 2 . This gives an estimated sample size of 133 participants. $$n=\frac{200}{{1+200\left(0.005\right)}^{2}}$$ $$n=\frac{200}{1+200\left(0.00025\right)}$$ $$n=133.33$$ The sample size for an unknown population, no = 133. Adjusting for an estimated non-response rate (incomplete data) of 5% gives 5 (100)/133 = 6.65 non-response. This gives a final sample size of 133 + 7 = 140 participants. Instrument To evaluate knowledge, childbearing intentions, and attitudes about social egg freezing, we utilized a structured questionnaire adapted from previously validated instruments with open and closed-ended questions. The questionnaire sampled answers from four ( 4 ) areas: socio-demographics (Table 1 ), fertility awareness (Table 2 ), childbearing intentions (Table 3 and Fig. 2 ), and attitude toward elective egg freezing (Tables 4 A and B, 5-point-scale). The instrument was pre-tested on a small group of graduate students for clarity and wording. Data analysis STATA. version 17 was used for the analysis of data. Descriptive statistics were computed for each question. A chi-square analysis was done to determine an association between sociodemographic characteristics and the likelihood of freezing eggs for non-medical reasons (Table 5 ). All tests were conducted at 5% significance level with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS Sociodemographic Characteristics of Respondents Table 1 Sociodemographic Characteristics of Respondents. Of the 138 students surveyed, 135 respondents accurately answered the questionnaires, resulting in a non-response rate of 2.2%. Table 1 . Contains a summary of their sociodemographic characteristics. Variables Frequency (N = 135) Percentage (%) Age (Years) 18–22 51 37.78 23–27 52 38.52 28–32 21 15.56 33–37 6 4.44 38–42 5 3.70 Religion Christianity 107 79.26 Islam 24 17.78 None 3 2.22 Traditional 1 0.74 Relationship status Cohabitating 5 3.70 Divorced 1 0.74 Engaged/In a relationship 35 25.93 Married 14 10.37 Separated 2 1.48 Single 78 57.78 Year of Study Year four 72 53.33 Year three 63 46.67 Knowledge of Age-Related Fertility Decline. Almost all respondents (96.3%) claimed at least some knowledge on age-related fertility and infertility issues. About three-quarters (74.81%) knew that ovarian reserve reduces as they age, and 71.11% believed women were most fertile in their early to late twenties. However, only a little more than one-third, 37.04%, of the respondents were worried about their advancing age and ability to have children. A similar number, 36.30%, had already sought consultation for fertility. About half, 48.89%, of the respondents, thought a woman's egg number declined most prominently within the ages of 40–44 compared to only a few, 12.59%, who otherwise correctly believed the decline is most prominent between 35–39 years. Table 2 AWARENESS OF AGE-RELATED FERTILITY DECLINE Variables Frequency (n) Percentage (%) Knowledge of fertility and infertility issues? Adequate knowledge 80 59.26 Very good knowledge 8 5.93 No knowledge 5 3.70 Some knowledge 20 14.81 Good knowledge 22 16.30 What period, in your opinion, is most fertile for a woman? (years) 15–19 23 17.04 20–24 50 37.04 25–29 46 34.07 30–34 7 5.19 35–39 4 2.96 40–44 5 3.70 What age is too old to have a child? (years) 30–35 9 6.67 36–40 9 6.67 40–45 18 13.33 46–50 30 22.22 50–55 33 24.44 > 55 36 26.67 In which period will the egg number decline be most prominent? (years) 15–19 8 5.93 20–24 12 8.89 25–29 14 10.37 30–34 18 13.33 35–39 17 12.59 40–44 66 48.89 Previously sought a consultation about your fertility? Yes 49 36.30 No 86 63.70 Does your advancing age worry you about your future ability to have children? Yes 50 37.04 No 85 62.96 Do you think that, as a woman, your egg number and effectiveness reduce as you grow older? Frequency (n) Percentage (%) Yes 101 74.81 No 34 25.19 What, in your opinion, constitutes the best treatment options for infertility? A visit to the spiritual leader for prayer 9 6.67 Herbal treatment 6 4.44 In – Vitro Fertilization 20 14.81 Medical treatment 100 74.07 The primary sources of information for respondents on fertility knowledge were health professionals (33.33%), the Internet (30.37%), and television (14.81%). Radio was the least source of information. (Fig. 1 ). Childbearing Intentions Table 3 shows the responses of student participants concerning their future family goals. Almost 9 out of 10 (88.89%) students planned to have children. Eighty (62.96%) indicated that childbearing was very important to them, but the exact number would not have a child without a partner. Over three-quarters of respondents planned their first child at age 25–29 (Fig. 2 ), and only about half wished to have their last child at age 31–35. Almost two-thirds of the respondents were very confident about having their desired number of children in the future; about the same (71.85%) would seek fertility treatment if they could not have children. Only 5.19% would consider remaining childless. Table 3 CHILDBEARING INTENTION Variables Frequency (n) Percentage (%) Do you plan on having children? Yes 120 88.89 No 15 11.11 Will you start having children if you don't have a partner? Yes 17 12.59 No 85 62.96 Maybe 33 24.44 How many children do you intend to have? 1–3 63 46.67 4–6 71 52.6 7–8 1 0.74 At what age do you plan have your last child? (years) 21–25 2 1.48 26–30 26 19.26 31–35 68 50.37 36–40 24 17.78 > 40 15 11.11 How important is/was it for you to have children? Important 27 20.00 Moderately important 16 11.85 Not at all important 1 0.74 Slightly important 6 4.44 Very Important 85 62.96 Which of these would you consider if you cannot achieve a pregnancy with your partner? Go for adoption 21 15.56 Live with childlessness 7 5.19 Seek fertility treatment 97 71.85 Use a surrogate 10 7.41 How confident are you that you will have your desired number of children? Confident 32 23.70 Moderately confident 11 8.15 Not confident 1 0.74 Slightly confident 4 2.96 Very confident 87 64.44 Attitude Toward Elective Egg Freezing The study revealed diverse opinions on attitudes toward elective egg freezing. Only a little more than a quarter (28.15%) of respondents had heard about elective egg freezing, with the media being the source of knowledge for just about half. About 4 out of 10 (41.48%) participants would be willing to donate their eggs to an anonymous recipient, but 3 out of 10 (29.63%) were less enthusiastic about egg donation. Only 3 out of 10 (29.63%) of respondents said they would consider using donated eggs to achieve a pregnancy in the future, but about 4 out of 10 were less enthusiastic about it. However, almost half (47.41%) of the participants would accept donated eggs for IVF if it were the only option for childbearing. Only about a third (32.59%) of participants would be willing to use donated eggs to achieve a pregnancy for the sake of their husbands. The absence of a genetic connection with the child was the main reason 40% of respondents would likely or very likely not accept donated eggs for IVF. More than a third (37.78%) of respondents who already had a child were not willing to use donated eggs for IVF. The desire to have a biological child is the most important reason for which almost half (48.89%) of participants would likely or very likely consider elective egg freezing. The cost of elective egg freezing is the reason more than half (51.11%) would likely or very likely not consider elective egg freezing. Table 4 A: ATTITUDE TOWARD SOCIAL EGG FREEZING Variables Frequency (n) Percentage (%) Have you ever heard about social egg freezing? Yes, I know what it refers to 38 28.15 Yes, but I don't know what it means 38 28.15 No 59 43.7 Where or from whom have you heard it? A doctor/gynaecologist 6 4.44 A nurse/midwife 3 2.22 Family 4 2.96 Friend 22 16.30 Media 73 54.07 School/university 20 14.81 Scientific literature 7 5.19 How do you understand the term social egg freezing? Freezing a ' 'woman's eggs for medical reasons to be used to achieve a biological child in future. 84 62.22 Freezing a ' 'woman's eggs for non-medical reasons to be used to achieve a biological child in future. 51 37.78 Will you consider using donated eggs if you were told you had exhausted your eggs? Yes 40 29.63 Maybe 52 38.52 No 43 31.85 Would you consider donating oocytes to a woman you know? Yes 34 25.19 Maybe 50 37.04 No 51 37.78 If, in the future, you decide not to use your frozen oocytes, would you consider donating them : For medical reasons? Yes 69 51.11 Maybe 31 22.96 No 35 25.93 To a friend or family member with a fertility problem to help them conceive a child? Yes 58 42.96 Maybe 39 28.89 No 38 28.15 To an anonymous egg donor program to help infertile couples/women conceive a child? Yes 56 41.48 Maybe 40 29.63 No 39 28.89 For money? Yes 40 29.63 Maybe 51 37.78 No 44 32.59 Table 4 B: ATTITUDE TOWARD SOCIAL EGG FREEZING Variable Very unlikely n(%) unlikely n(%) Neutral n(%) Likely n(%) Very Likely n(%) What will make you consider freezing your eggs for non–medical reasons? No partner 41(30.37) 30(22.22) 29(21.48) 25(18.52) 10(7.41) Uncertainty of future fertility 24(17.78) 36(26.67) 34(25.19) 29(21.48) 12(8.89) Partner abroad 25(18.52) 33(24.44) 41(30.37) 28(20.74) 8(5.93) Unemployment 34(25.19) 45(33.33) 31(22.96) 17(12.59) 8(5.93) A desire to pursue further studies 22(16.30) 37(27.41) 37(27.41) 23(17.04) 16(11.85) A desire for a biological child 18(13.33) 25(18.52) 26(19.26) 45(33.33) 21(15.56) A desire for more children 24(17.78) 21(15.56) 32(23.70) 38(28.15) 20(14.81) What would be your reason if you do not consider social egg freezing? It may affect my ability to conceive naturally later 26(19.26) 32(23.70) 36(26.67) 28(20.74) 13(9.63) It will be too expensive 11(8.15) 25(18.52) 30(22.22) 39(28.89) 30(22.22) The process is too complex 23(17.04) 22(16.30) 34(25.19) 37(27.41) 19(14.07) I am content without a child 24(17.78) 39(28.89) 39(28.89) 19(14.07) 14(10.37) I am content with the child(ren) I have 19(14.07) 32(23.70) 36(26.67) 33(24.44) 15(11.11) It is against my religion 35(25.93) 33(24.44) 43(31.85) 14(10.37) 10(7.41) Babies from frozen eggs may not be normal 33(24.44) 26(19.26) 30(22.22) 23(17.04) 23(17.04) I cannot have a child without a partner 29(21.48) 25(18.52) 38(28.15) 21(15.56) 22(16.30) I believe I am fertile and will get pregnant anytime I am ready 17(12.59) 16(11.85) 43(31.85) 25(18.52) 34(25.19) What will make you accept donated eggs for IVF? If it is my only option 28(20.74) 11(8.15) 32(23.70) 40(29.63) 24(17.78) I will do it for my husband 26(19.26) 27(20.00) 38(28.15) 33(24.44) 11(8.15) I will still have a family, anyway 23(17.04) 25(18.52) 32(23.70) 37(27.41) 18(13.33) People will not know the difference 21(15.56) 26(19.26) 37(27.41) 24(17.78) 27(20.00) What will make you reject donated eggs for IVF? Baby formed will not be my biological child 34(25.19) 20(14.81) 27(20.00) 34(25.19) 20(14.81) I already have a child, and I am not desperate to have another 19(14.07) 37(27.41) 28(20.74) 35(25.93) 16(11.85) I can adopt a child instead 25(18.52) 23(17.04) 42(31.11) 24(17.78) 21(15.56) However, the study revealed no statistical association between age, religion, relationship status, year of study and attitude towards social egg freezing, with p-values of 0.42, 0.45, 0.92, and 0.09, respectively. (Table 5 ) Table 5 Association between socio-demographics of female students and attitudes towards social egg-freezing Likelihood of Social egg Freezing Variables Yes n (%) No n (%) Not Certain n(%) I 'don't Know n (%) X 2 P-value Age (Years) 12.33 0.42 18–22 9(17.65) 27(52.94) 8(15.69) 7(13.73) 23–27 11(21.15) 25(48.08) 10(19.23) 6(11.54) 28–32 4(19.05) 4(19.05) 6(28.57) 7(33.33) 33–37 1(16.67) 2(33.33) 1(16.67) 2(33.33) 38–42 0(0.00) 3(60.00) 1(20.00) 1(20.00) Religion 8.82 0.45 Christian 19(17.76) 52(48.60) 18(16.82) 18(16.82) Muslim 5(20.83) 8(33.33) 7(29.17) 4(16.67) None 2(66.67) 1(33.33) 0(0.00) 0(0.00) Traditional 0(0.00) 0(0.00) 0(0.00) 1(100.00) Relationship status 8.08 0.92 Cohabitating 1(20.00) 2(40.00) 1(20.00) 1(20.00) Divorced 0(00.00) 1(100.00) 0(0.00) 0(0.00) Engaged/In a relationship 7(20.00) 14(40.00) 9(25.71) 5(14.29) Married 4(28.57) 5(35.71) 1(7.14) 4(28.57) Separated 1(50.00) 1(50.00) 0(0.00) 0(0.00) Single 12(15.38) 38(48.72) 15(19.23) 13(16.67) Year of Study 6.43 0.09 Year four 14(19.44) 30(41.67) 19(26.39) 9(12.50) Year three 11(17.46) 31(49.21) 7(11.11) 14(22.22) DISCUSSIONS Our study evaluated females' fertility knowledge, childbearing intentions, and attitudes towards social egg freezing in a private university in Kumasi, Ghana. Out of 138 students who completed the questionnaire, 72 (53.33%) and 63 (46.67%) were in levels 400 and 300, respectively. One hundred and thirty-five (135) students completed the online survey accurately. Demographics The age bracket of 18–27 years comprised the majority (76.3%) of the respondents. Almost four out of five (79.26) were Christians, and about three out of five (57.78) were single. Knowledge of Age-Related Fertility Decline The ' 'respondents' knowledge of age-related fertility decline was sought. Evidence from the study suggests that overall, there was a lack of knowledge regarding age-related fertility decline among the students. Even though almost all respondents (96.3%) claimed at least some knowledge on age-related fertility and infertility issues, their knowledge on the subject was inadequate because about half (48.89%) of the respondents wrongly thought that the age-related decline in a woman's egg number and quality becomes most prominent within the age range of 40–44. This finding was consistent with a similar study conducted in Nigeria in which respondents overestimated the ages of slight and marked decline in female fertility ( 33 ). Consequently, only a little more than one-third of the respondents were worried about their advancing age and ability to have children. The lack of knowledge and concern over the age-related decline in fertility may be attributed to the youthful age of the respondents. While in this study, health professionals, the Internet, and television were the primary sources of knowledge on age-related decline in fertility, women in Nigeria, Denmark, and the U.K. were informed through families, friends, the media, and common knowledge. ( 33 ) ( 34 ). Childbearing Intentions Childbearing intentions also varied drastically between the respondents. Almost 9 out of 10 of the respondents in this study planned to have children. This is comparable to the findings in a similar study in Saudi Arabia in which 8 out of 10 undergraduate students expressed the desire to have children ( 35 ). Most students in this study hoped to have 4–6 children in the future, starting from their late 20s and ending in mid-30s. They would have completed their family before age 35, after which age-related decline in fertility is most pronounced. This outcome was consistent with similar research in Sweden ( 36 ). Most of the students in this study (62.96%) indicated that it would be crucial to have children and were willing to seek fertility treatment if they could not achieve a pregnancy. This contrasts with a survey conducted in Iraq, which reported the majority of undergraduate students opting for adoption so that they could concentrate on their careers ( 37 ). This study showed that 1 out of 4 (25.19%) of the students considered donating oocytes to a woman they know, while 41.48% considered donating their eggs anonymously to help infertile couples/women conceive a child. This contrasts with a study conducted in Belgium in which more women (40.2%) in their reproductive age considered donating their eggs to a woman they know, and 26.9% considered donating their eggs anonymously ( 38 ). Attitudes Towards Social Egg Freezing Respondents' attitudes towards oocyte freezing for non-medical reasons also varied drastically. Almost half (48.89%) of respondents would consider elective egg freezing because it would offer an opportunity to prolong a biological lifespan. However, the cost of elective egg freezing would prohibit the same number of respondents from preserving their fertility, and this finding resonates with the works done by Mertes & Pennings ( 39 ). LIMITATIONS The study focused solely on a small number of undergraduate female students at a private university in Kumasi, Ghana. This narrow demographic may not represent the broader population of women in Kumasi or Ghana, limiting the generalizability of the findings. CONCLUSION The majority of participants in this study were young, single Christians who tended to overestimate their knowledge of fertility issues, particularly regarding age-related decline in fertility and elective egg freezing. Their primary sources of information were health professionals, the Internet, and television. While most respondents valued childbearing highly, they were reluctant to pursue parenthood without a partner. Few indicated willingness to donate eggs or accept donor eggs, often citing concerns about genetic ties. However, many expressed interest in egg freezing to preserve their reproductive options, though cost emerged as a significant barrier. Abbreviations ART Assisted Reproductive Technology ET: Embryo Transfer CHRPE.: Committee on Human Research, publications and Ethics IVF: In-Vitro Fertilization ICSI: Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Declarations Acknowledgements The authors wish to acknowledge the participants who consented and contributed to the success of this study. Authors' contributions Conception of the Research Proposal Millicent Osaah, Elikplim Adzo Damalie, Francis Jojo Moses Kodzo Damalie, Charles Mawunyo Senaya Project Development, Data Collection and Analysis and interpretation Millicent Osaah, Vida Maame Kissiwa Amoah, Herbert Ekoe Dankluvi, Beatrice Yeboah, Francis Jojo Moses Kodzo Damalie, David Zawumya Kolbilla Manuscript Writing Millicent Osaah, Vida Maame Kissiwa, Elikplim Adzo Damalie, Herbert Ekoe Dankluvi, Beatrice Yeboah, Francis Jojo Moses Kodzo Damalie, Charles Mawunyo Senaya All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Consent for publication Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests. Funding No external funding was either sought or obtained for this study Availability of data and materials In this study, all methods adhered to the guidelines and regulations outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval, CHRPE/AP/057/24, was obtained from the Committee on Human Research, Publications, and Ethics (CHRPE) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), School of Medical Sciences. Participation in the study was voluntary, and all communication on social media emphasized the anonymity of the survey and the non-collection of personal information from participants. Before beginning the study, participants were directed to a homepage outlining the project's summary and inclusion criteria. They were informed of their right to exit by proceeding to the final page. Upon electronically agreeing to participate by ticking a consent box, participants could commence the online survey. The survey concluded with a 'Submit' button, accompanied by a reminder that participants could only finalize their participation by clicking it. References Bretherick KL, Fairbrother N, Avila L, Harbord SH, Robinson WP. 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Bretherick, K.L., Fairbrother, N., Avila L., Harbord, S.H.A., & Robinson, W.P. Fertility and aging: do reproductive-aged Canadian women know what they need to know? Fertil Steril. 2010;93(7):2162–8. Maeda, E., Sugimori, H., Nakamura, F., Kobayashi, Y., Green, J., Suka, M., Okamoto, M., Boivin., & Hidekazu, S, Maeda, E., Sugimori, H., Nakamura, F., Kobayashi, Y., Green, J., Suka, M., Okamoto, M.,. A cross sectional study on fertility knowledge in Japan, measured with the Japanese version of Cardiff Fertility Knowledge Scale (CFKS-J). Reprod Health. 2015;12(10):1–12. Tozzo, P., Fassina, A., Nespeca, P., Spigarolo, G., & Caenazzo, L. Understanding social oocyte freezing in Italy: a scoping survey on university female students' awareness and attitudes. Life Sci Soc Policy. 2019;15(3):1–14. Bell, K. Constructions of "infertility" and some lived experiences of involuntary childlessness. J Women Soc Work. 2013;28(3):284–95. van Loendorsloot, L.L., Moolenar, L.M., Mol, B.J.W., Repping, S., van der Veen, F., &, Goddjin, M. Expanding reproductive lifespan: a cost-effectiveness study on oocyte freezing. Hum Reprod. 2011;26(11):3051–60. Daniluk, J. C., & Koert, E. Childless women's beliefs and knowledge about oocyte freezing for social and medical reasons. Hum Reprod. 2016;31(10):2313–20. von Wolff, M., Germeyer, A., & Nawroth, F. Fertility preservation for non-medical reasons. Dtsch Ärtzeblatt Int. 2015;112:27–32. Lewis, E.I., Missmer, S.A., Farland, L.V., & Ginsburg, E.S. Public support in the United States for elective oocyte cryopreservation. Fertil Steril. 2016;106(5). Stoop, D., Nekkebroeck, J., & Devroey, P. A survey on the intentions and attitudes towards oocyte cryopreservation for non-medical reasons among women of reproductive age. Hum Reprod. 2011;26(3):655–61. Espirito Santo, E.V., Dieamant, F., Petersen, C.G., Mauri, A.L, Vagnini, L.D., Renzi, A,… &, Franco, J.G. Social oocyte cryopreservation: a portrayal of Brazilian women. Soc Oocyte Cryopreserv Portrayal Braz Women Assist Reprod. 2017;21(2):101–4. von Wolff, M., Germeyer, A., Liebenthron, J., Korrell, M., & Nawroth, F. Practical recommendations for fertility preservation in women by the FertiPROTEKT network. Part II: fertility preservation techniques. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2018;297:257–67. Paramanantham, J., Talmor, A.J., Osianlis, T., & Weston, G.C. Cryopreserved oocytes: update on clinical applications and success rates. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2015;70(2):97–114. Levi-Setti, P.E., Patrizio, P., & Scaravelli, G. Evolution of human oocyte cryopreservation: slow freezing versus vitrification. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2016;23(6):445–50. Gook, D.A. History of oocyte cryopreservation. Reprod Biomed Online. 2011;23:281–9. Milman, L.W., Senapati, S., Sammel, M.D., Cameron, K.D., & Gracia, C. Assessing reproductive choices of women and the likelihood of oocyte cryopreservation in the era of elective oocyte freezing. Fertil Steril. 2017;107(5):1214–22. Baldwin, K. Conceptualising women's motivations for social egg freezing and experience of reproductive delay. Sociol Health Illn. 2018;40(5):859–73. Wennberg, A. L., Rodriguez-Wallberg, K. A., Milsom, I., & Brännström, M. Attitudes towards new assisted reproductive technologies in Sweden: a survey in women 30–39 years of age. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2016;95(1):38–44. Ikhena-Abel, D.E., Confino, R., Shah, N.J., Lawson, A.K., Klock, S.C., Robins, J.C., &, Pavone, M.E. Is employer coverage of elective egg freezing coercive?: a survey of medical students' knowledge, intentions, and attitudes toward elective egg freezing and employer coverage. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2017;34:1035–41. Hodes-Wertz, B., Druckenmiller, S., Smith, M., & Noyes, N. What do reproductive age women who undergo oocyte cryopreservation think about the process as a means to preserve fertility. Fertil Steril. 2013;100(5):1343–9. Tan, S.Q., Tan., A.W.K., Lau, M.S.K., Tan, H.H., & Nadarajah, S. Social oocyte freezing: a survey among Singaporean female medical students. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. 2014;40(5):1345–52. Abiodun, O., Alausa, K., & Olasehinde, O. Ignorance could hurt: an assessment of fertility awareness, childbirth intentions and parenting attitudes among university students. Int J Adolesc Ment Health. 2016;30(2):1–11. Lallemant C, Vassard D, Nyboe Andersen A, Schmidt L, Macklon N. Medical and social egg freezing: internet‐based survey of knowledge and attitudes among women in Denmark and the U.K. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2016;95(12):1402–10. Alfaraj S, Aleraij S, Morad S, Alomar N, Al Rajih H, Alhussain H, et al. Fertility awareness, intentions concerning childbearing, and attitudes toward parenthood among female health professions students in Saudi Arabia. Int J Health Sci. 2019;13(3):34. Sørensen NO, Marcussen S, Backhausen MG, Juhl M, Schmidt L, Tydén T, et al. Fertility awareness and attitudes towards parenthood among Danish university college students. Reprod Health. 2016;13(1):1–10. Khalil NS, Hassan IT, Saeed HD. Fertility awareness among medical and non-medical undergraduate university students in Al-Iraqia University, Baghdad, Iraq. Am J Med Sci Med. 2015;3(6):74–8. Stoop D, Nekkebroeck J, Devroey P. A survey on the intentions and attitudes towards oocyte cryopreservation for non-medical reasons among women of reproductive age. Hum Reprod. 2011;26(3):655–61. Mertes H, Pennings G. Social egg freezing: for better, not for worse. Reprod Biomed Online. 2011 Dec;Volume 23(7):824–9. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-4524125","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":310434896,"identity":"e705f70b-93de-4e69-8962-12d5f843e1ea","order_by":0,"name":"Millicent Osaah","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hallmark Medicals","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Millicent","middleName":"","lastName":"Osaah","suffix":""},{"id":310434897,"identity":"6368d067-cd88-4a44-bcd8-7c355c121164","order_by":1,"name":"Vida Maame Kissiwaa Amoah","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Vida","middleName":"Maame Kissiwaa","lastName":"Amoah","suffix":""},{"id":310434900,"identity":"425bdd87-eb33-4c9f-ab33-78c586f894c8","order_by":2,"name":"Herbert Ekoe Dankluvi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hallmark Medicals","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Herbert","middleName":"Ekoe","lastName":"Dankluvi","suffix":""},{"id":310434903,"identity":"32122999-ab35-49ea-b2a0-2e3158d9561f","order_by":3,"name":"Beatrice Yeboah","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Beatrice","middleName":"","lastName":"Yeboah","suffix":""},{"id":310434905,"identity":"4891f0b7-8969-44eb-855b-c75f1e4541a3","order_by":4,"name":"Elikplim Adzo Damalie","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hallmark 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Damalie","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABCklEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACxgaGBAYeIIOPmYHxMViImbkBTEsQ0sLGzMBszMBgANTCiF8LGIC1AJE0WAsDAS3M7Q0PH7yp2SbPxs58rLqg4k80fztQy48KhsSZDTgc1nMg2XDOsduGbcxsabdnnDHInXGYsYGx5wxD4mxcfpmRkCbNw3absY2Zx+w2b5tBbgNQCzNjG0PiPLxa/t22b2Pm/1YM0jKfKC28bbcTgbawMYO0bIBpwekwkF/m9t1OBvrFWJrnjHHuRqCWgz1nJIxxed+wvSfxwZtvt237+Q8//MxTIZc77/zhgw9+VNjIzjiAQ0sDTwKm6AF8ESnPwI7DsFEwCkbBKBgFMAAAaDtZVzrkFagAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"Hallmark Medicals","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Francis","middleName":"Jojo Moses Kodzo","lastName":"Damalie","suffix":""},{"id":310434910,"identity":"cdbaae5e-cef2-44c8-b295-9aff89daaf3c","order_by":7,"name":"Charles Mawunyo Senaya","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Charles","middleName":"Mawunyo","lastName":"Senaya","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-06-03 22:08:21","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4524125/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4524125/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03387-3","type":"published","date":"2024-10-08T15:57:15+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":58746917,"identity":"5d92b07b-76c4-477a-8207-629afaefdfe5","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-06-20 15:12:20","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":31401,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSOURCE OF INFORMATION\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4524125/v1/177ab89ab96aab1794aa029f.png"},{"id":58746916,"identity":"be8f6902-1ed5-452e-8547-23557a6f6e16","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-06-20 15:12:20","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":32740,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDESIRED AGES FOR FIRST CHILD\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4524125/v1/5b4f422c5a88542d6f4aa605.png"},{"id":66597102,"identity":"de418584-cea9-4d25-8898-c402300cdc88","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-10-14 16:07:12","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1532257,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4524125/v1/396ed43e-58a4-401d-b6b7-b70ca39eb3c4.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Fertility Knowledge, Childbearing Intentions and Attitudes Towards Social Egg Freezing: a Study of Female Students of a Private University in Kumasi, Ghana","fulltext":[{"header":"INTRODUCTION","content":"\u003cp\u003eGlobally, many women are postponing marriage and childbearing due to various factors such as economic challenges, pursuing higher education, acquiring trade skills, and advancing their careers. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e) (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). A few decades ago, early or child marriages were prevalent in Africa, including Ghana, with multiple births being common. However, there is evidence suggesting a shift towards delayed marriages and childbirth in these regions. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). These delays can stem from voluntary choices or involuntary circumstances, contributing to issues of infertility. In rural Ghana, for instance, infertility affects approximately 11.8% of women and 15.8% of men, underscoring the significance of these trends. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWomen are becoming increasingly aware of their age-related fertility decline and the potential to expand their reproductive lifespan through elective egg freezing using Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFertility preservation through egg freezing does not require sperm at the time of egg collection. Therefore, women who freeze their eggs for social reasons save themselves the pressure of looking for a suitable partner while their biological clocks tick. They can also pursue their professional and career goals while maintaining the potential to have a biological child through IVF treatment when advanced in age.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite the devastating consequences of infertility or childlessness, few women have adequate knowledge about its causes (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e), especially the decline of ovarian reserve with age (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e). This lack of awareness of the age-related decline in fertility can lead to unnecessary delays in childbearing, depletion of ovarian reserve, and childlessness (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e). The risk of involuntary childlessness increases with age from 2\u0026ndash;3% for women under 30 years to 36% for those over 40 years (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEgg freezing for non\u0026ndash;medical reasons, also referred to as elective egg freezing or social egg freezing, if done for social reasons such as being single or without a suitable partner, has become increasingly common (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e). Even though it helps women to prolong their reproductive life span, it is associated with some misconceptions and stigmatization (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowledge and acceptance rate of egg freezing varies globally (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e). It offers better outcomes for live births when the woman is less than 35 years old (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e). However, most women become aware of fertility preservation opportunities only after age 35 (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e). Egg freezing is more acceptable among the younger generation than the old, with a 40\u0026ndash;85% range. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e). The older women consider women who freeze their eggs selfish and greedy (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e). The cost of elective egg freezing is prohibiting for many eligible and desirous women. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e), (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAppropriate and timely health education can prevent delays in childbearing and the need for elective egg freezing. With awareness and wherewithal, women in many developed countries have avoided childlessness by freezing their eggs early (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e); (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere is a paucity of data on the awareness of Ghanaian women about their age-related decline in fertility and the opportunity to prolong their reproductive life span through egg freezing. The knowledge of Ghanaian women about elective egg freezing, its cost, and its success rates, as well as the factors that would influence them to consider fertility preservation for social reasons, have not been explored.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMost university students are single and would soon have to choose between marriage and childbearing, career progression, and pursuing higher academic qualifications. These choices, if uninformed, could lead to childlessness. Awareness of infertility and its causes and the opportunity to prolong their reproductive lifespan through elective egg freezing would influence their choices positively. A well-informed graduate could be a community ambassador for elective egg freezing.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec2\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAim of the study\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study aimed to determine fertility knowledge, childbearing intentions, and attitudes toward elective egg freezing among female undergraduate students in Kumasi. It addressed the following research questions: (a) What is the level of awareness of age-related diminishing ovarian reserve and social egg freezing among college students in Kumasi? (b) What are the intentions of these college students towards childbearing and their careers? (c) Will Ghanaian college students accept childbearing with frozen or donor eggs?\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe findings of this study provide baseline data on the level of awareness of young Ghanaian women about their natural decline of fertility and its preservation as they advance in age and defer childbearing. Our study serves as the model for future research on the subject. It also provides fertility doctors in Ghana with some reference material on Ghanaians' information gaps and concerns for essential policy proposals, education, and advocacy on social egg freezing.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"METHODS","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStudy Design\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study utilized a cross-sectional design and investigated female students' fertility knowledge, childbearing intentions, and attitudes toward social egg freezing in a private university in Kumasi, Ghana. The study included single, married, or separated female students without biological children or those who retained the desire for more children in the future despite having a child or children in a previous relationship. The respondents aged 18 to 38, who were pursuing their first degree in nursing and midwifery, were conveniently sampled to participate in the study. We sent a Google App-based structured questionnaire adapted from previously validated questionnaires with open and closed-ended questions through WhatsApp Class Group Pages to level 300 and 400 female students at the Garden City University College in Kumasi, Ghana, to collect data. We received one hundred and thirty-eight (138) responses. After opening the Google-based form sent to them by WhatsApp, they received a pop-up with respondent information, indicating that they had given their informed consent by proceeding to fill out the form. Only those who consented could proceed to answer the questionnaire.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEthical approval\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003e , Ref: CHRPE/AP/057/24, was obtained from the Committee for Human Research, Publications and Ethics (CHRPE) of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSample Size\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWe used Slovin's formula to calculate the sample size for this study.\u003cdiv id=\"Equa\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equa\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$n=\\frac{N}{(1+N{e}^{2})}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhere\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e'n' is the estimated sample size for a finite population, N is the population size, and 'e' is the margin of error taken as 5%.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe estimated sample size thus, n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;N / (1\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Ne\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e): gives; n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;200/1\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;200(0.05)\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e. This gives an estimated sample size of 133 participants.\u003cdiv id=\"Equb\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equb\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$n=\\frac{200}{{1+200\\left(0.005\\right)}^{2}}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Equc\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equc\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$n=\\frac{200}{1+200\\left(0.00025\\right)}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Equd\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equd\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$n=133.33$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe sample size for an unknown population, \u003cspan type=\"Underline\" class=\"Underline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eno\u003c/span\u003e \u003csub\u003e=\u003c/sub\u003e 133.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdjusting for an estimated non-response rate (incomplete data) of 5% gives 5\u003cb\u003e(100)/133\u003c/b\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;6.65 non-response.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis gives a final sample size of 133\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;7\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;\u003cb\u003e140 participants.\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eInstrument\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo evaluate knowledge, childbearing intentions, and attitudes about social egg freezing, we utilized a structured questionnaire adapted from previously validated instruments with open and closed-ended questions. The questionnaire sampled answers from four (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e) areas: socio-demographics (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e), fertility awareness (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e), childbearing intentions (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e and Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e), and attitude toward elective egg freezing (Tables\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003eA and B, 5-point-scale).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe instrument was pre-tested on a small group of graduate students for clarity and wording.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eData analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSTATA. version 17 was used for the analysis of data. Descriptive statistics were computed for each question. A chi-square analysis was done to determine an association between sociodemographic characteristics and the likelihood of freezing eggs for non-medical reasons (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). All tests were conducted at 5% significance level with 95% confidence intervals.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"RESULTS","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSociodemographic Characteristics of Respondents\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSociodemographic Characteristics of Respondents.\u003c/b\u003e Of the 138 students surveyed, 135 respondents accurately answered the questionnaires, resulting in a non-response rate of 2.2%. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. Contains a summary of their sociodemographic characteristics.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;135)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePercentage (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge (Years)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u0026ndash;22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23\u0026ndash;27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28\u0026ndash;32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33\u0026ndash;37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38\u0026ndash;42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReligion\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChristianity\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e107\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e79.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIslam\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNone\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTraditional\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRelationship status\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCohabitating\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDivorced\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEngaged/In a relationship\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMarried\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeparated\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSingle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57.78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear of Study\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYear four\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYear three\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eKnowledge of Age-Related Fertility Decline.\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlmost all respondents (96.3%) claimed at least some knowledge on age-related fertility and infertility issues. About three-quarters (74.81%) knew that ovarian reserve reduces as they age, and 71.11% believed women were most fertile in their early to late twenties. However, only a little more than one-third, 37.04%, of the respondents were worried about their advancing age and ability to have children. A similar number, 36.30%, had already sought consultation for fertility.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbout half, 48.89%, of the respondents, thought a woman's egg number declined most prominently within the ages of 40\u0026ndash;44 compared to only a few, 12.59%, who otherwise correctly believed the decline is most prominent between 35\u0026ndash;39 years.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAWARENESS OF AGE-RELATED FERTILITY DECLINE\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency (n)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePercentage (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowledge of fertility and infertility issues?\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdequate knowledge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVery good knowledge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo knowledge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSome knowledge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGood knowledge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat period, in your opinion, is most fertile for a woman? (years)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15\u0026ndash;19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25\u0026ndash;29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30\u0026ndash;34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35\u0026ndash;39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40\u0026ndash;44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat age is too old to have a child? (years)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30\u0026ndash;35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36\u0026ndash;40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40\u0026ndash;45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46\u0026ndash;50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u0026ndash;55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Underline\" class=\"Underline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIn which period will the egg number decline be most prominent? (years)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15\u0026ndash;19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u0026ndash;24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25\u0026ndash;29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30\u0026ndash;34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35\u0026ndash;39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40\u0026ndash;44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Underline\" class=\"Underline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e66\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePreviously sought a consultation about your fertility?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Underline\" class=\"Underline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e86\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDoes your advancing age worry you about your future ability to have children?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDo you think that, as a woman, your egg number and effectiveness reduce as you grow older?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequency (n)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePercentage (%)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e101\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74.81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat, in your opinion, constitutes the best treatment options for infertility?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA visit to the spiritual leader for prayer\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHerbal treatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn \u0026ndash; Vitro Fertilization\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedical treatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe primary sources of information for respondents on fertility knowledge were health professionals (33.33%), the Internet (30.37%), and television (14.81%). Radio was the least source of information. (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eChildbearing Intentions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e shows the responses of student participants concerning their future family goals. Almost 9 out of 10 (88.89%) students planned to have children. Eighty (62.96%) indicated that childbearing was very important to them, but the exact number would not have a child without a partner. Over three-quarters of respondents planned their first child at age 25\u0026ndash;29 (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e), and only about half wished to have their last child at age 31\u0026ndash;35. Almost two-thirds of the respondents were very confident about having their desired number of children in the future; about the same (71.85%) would seek fertility treatment if they could not have children. Only 5.19% would consider remaining childless.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCHILDBEARING INTENTION\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(n)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePercentage\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDo you plan on having children?\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e120\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88.89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWill you start having children if you don't have a partner?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaybe\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow many children do you intend to have?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u0026ndash;3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u0026ndash;6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u0026ndash;8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAt what age do you plan have your last child? (years)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21\u0026ndash;25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26\u0026ndash;30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31\u0026ndash;35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36\u0026ndash;40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow important is/was it for you to have children?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eImportant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eModerately important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot at all important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSlightly important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVery Important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhich of these would you consider if you cannot achieve a pregnancy with your partner?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGo for adoption\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLive with childlessness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeek fertility treatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e97\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e71.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse a surrogate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow confident are you that you will have your desired number of children?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eConfident\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eModerately confident\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot confident\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSlightly confident\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVery confident\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAttitude Toward Elective Egg Freezing\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study revealed diverse opinions on attitudes toward elective egg freezing. Only a little more than a quarter (28.15%) of respondents had heard about elective egg freezing, with the media being the source of knowledge for just about half.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbout 4 out of 10 (41.48%) participants would be willing to donate their eggs to an anonymous recipient, but 3 out of 10 (29.63%) were less enthusiastic about egg donation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOnly 3 out of 10 (29.63%) of respondents said they would consider using donated eggs to achieve a pregnancy in the future, but about 4 out of 10 were less enthusiastic about it. However, almost half (47.41%) of the participants would accept donated eggs for IVF if it were the only option for childbearing. Only about a third (32.59%) of participants would be willing to use donated eggs to achieve a pregnancy for the sake of their husbands. The absence of a genetic connection with the child was the main reason 40% of respondents would likely or very likely not accept donated eggs for IVF. More than a third (37.78%) of respondents who already had a child were not willing to use donated eggs for IVF.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe desire to have a biological child is the most important reason for which almost half (48.89%) of participants would likely or very likely consider elective egg freezing. The cost of elective egg freezing is the reason more than half (51.11%) would likely or very likely not consider elective egg freezing.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA: ATTITUDE TOWARD SOCIAL EGG FREEZING\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency (n)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePercentage (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHave you ever heard about social egg freezing?\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes, I know what it refers to\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes, but I don't know what it means\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhere or from whom have you heard it?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA doctor/gynaecologist\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA nurse/midwife\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFamily\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFriend\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedia\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSchool/university\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eScientific literature\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHow do you understand the term social egg freezing?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFreezing a ' 'woman's eggs for medical reasons to be used to achieve a biological child in future.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFreezing a ' 'woman's eggs for non-medical reasons to be used to achieve a biological child in future.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWill you consider using donated eggs if you were told you had exhausted your eggs?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.63\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaybe\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWould you consider donating oocytes to a woman you know?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaybe\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIf, in the future, you decide not to use your frozen oocytes, would you consider donating them\u003c/b\u003e:\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor medical reasons?\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaybe\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo a friend or family member with a fertility problem to help them conceive a child?\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaybe\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo an anonymous egg donor program to help infertile couples/women conceive a child?\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaybe\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.63\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor money?\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.63\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaybe\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB: ATTITUDE TOWARD SOCIAL EGG FREEZING\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVery unlikely\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003en(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eunlikely\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003en(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNeutral\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003en(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLikely\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003en(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVery Likely\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003en(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhat will make you consider freezing your eggs for non\u0026ndash;medical reasons?\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo partner\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41(30.37)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30(22.22)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29(21.48)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25(18.52)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10(7.41)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUncertainty of future fertility\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24(17.78)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36(26.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34(25.19)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29(21.48)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12(8.89)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePartner abroad\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25(18.52)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33(24.44)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41(30.37)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28(20.74)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8(5.93)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnemployment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34(25.19)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45(33.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31(22.96)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17(12.59)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8(5.93)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA desire to pursue further studies\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22(16.30)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37(27.41)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37(27.41)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23(17.04)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16(11.85)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA desire for a biological child\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18(13.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25(18.52)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26(19.26)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45(33.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21(15.56)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA desire for more children\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24(17.78)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21(15.56)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32(23.70)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38(28.15)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20(14.81)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat would be your reason if you do not consider social egg freezing?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt may affect my ability to conceive naturally later\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26(19.26)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32(23.70)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36(26.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28(20.74)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13(9.63)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt will be too expensive\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11(8.15)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25(18.52)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30(22.22)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39(28.89)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30(22.22)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe process is too complex\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23(17.04)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22(16.30)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34(25.19)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37(27.41)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19(14.07)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am content without a child\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24(17.78)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39(28.89)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39(28.89)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19(14.07)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14(10.37)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI am content with the child(ren) I have\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19(14.07)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32(23.70)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36(26.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33(24.44)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15(11.11)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt is against my religion\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35(25.93)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33(24.44)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43(31.85)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14(10.37)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10(7.41)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBabies from frozen eggs may not be normal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33(24.44)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26(19.26)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30(22.22)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23(17.04)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23(17.04)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI cannot have a child without a partner\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29(21.48)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25(18.52)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38(28.15)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21(15.56)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22(16.30)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI believe I am fertile and will get pregnant anytime I am ready\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17(12.59)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16(11.85)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43(31.85)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25(18.52)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34(25.19)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat will make you accept donated eggs for IVF?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eIf it is my only option\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28(20.74)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11(8.15)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32(23.70)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40(29.63)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24(17.78)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI will do it for my husband\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26(19.26)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27(20.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38(28.15)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33(24.44)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11(8.15)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI will still have a family, anyway\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23(17.04)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25(18.52)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32(23.70)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37(27.41)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18(13.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeople will not know the difference\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21(15.56)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26(19.26)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37(27.41)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24(17.78)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27(20.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat will make you reject donated eggs for IVF?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBaby formed will not be my biological child\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34(25.19)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20(14.81)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27(20.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34(25.19)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20(14.81)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI already have a child, and I am not desperate to have another\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19(14.07)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37(27.41)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28(20.74)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35(25.93)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16(11.85)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI can adopt a child instead\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25(18.52)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23(17.04)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42(31.11)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24(17.78)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21(15.56)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, the study revealed no statistical association between age, religion, relationship status, year of study and attitude towards social egg freezing, with p-values of 0.42, 0.45, 0.92, and 0.09, respectively. (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab6\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAssociation between socio-demographics of female students and attitudes towards social egg-freezing\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"6\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLikelihood of Social egg Freezing\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes n (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo n (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot Certain n(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eI 'don't Know\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003en (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eX\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge (Years)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u0026ndash;22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9(17.65)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27(52.94)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8(15.69)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7(13.73)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23\u0026ndash;27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11(21.15)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25(48.08)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10(19.23)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6(11.54)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28\u0026ndash;32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4(19.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4(19.05)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6(28.57)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7(33.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33\u0026ndash;37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(16.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2(33.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(16.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2(33.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38\u0026ndash;42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3(60.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(20.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(20.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReligion\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChristian\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19(17.76)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52(48.60)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18(16.82)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18(16.82)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMuslim\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5(20.83)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8(33.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7(29.17)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4(16.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNone\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2(66.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(33.33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTraditional\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(100.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRelationship status\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCohabitating\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(20.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2(40.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(20.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(20.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDivorced\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(00.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(100.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEngaged/In a relationship\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7(20.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14(40.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9(25.71)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5(14.29)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMarried\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4(28.57)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5(35.71)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(7.14)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4(28.57)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeparated\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(50.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(50.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSingle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12(15.38)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38(48.72)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15(19.23)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13(16.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear of Study\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYear four\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14(19.44)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30(41.67)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19(26.39)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9(12.50)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYear three\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11(17.46)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31(49.21)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7(11.11)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14(22.22)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"DISCUSSIONS","content":"\u003cp\u003eOur study evaluated females' fertility knowledge, childbearing intentions, and attitudes towards social egg freezing in a private university in Kumasi, Ghana. Out of 138 students who completed the questionnaire, 72 (53.33%) and 63 (46.67%) were in levels 400 and 300, respectively. One hundred and thirty-five (135) students completed the online survey accurately.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDemographics\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe age bracket of 18\u0026ndash;27 years comprised the majority (76.3%) of the respondents. Almost four out of five (79.26) were Christians, and about three out of five (57.78) were single.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eKnowledge of Age-Related Fertility Decline\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe ' 'respondents' knowledge of age-related fertility decline was sought. Evidence from the study suggests that overall, there was a lack of knowledge regarding age-related fertility decline among the students. Even though almost all respondents (96.3%) claimed at least some knowledge on age-related fertility and infertility issues, their knowledge on the subject was inadequate because about half (48.89%) of the respondents wrongly thought that the age-related decline in a woman's egg number and quality becomes most prominent within the age range of 40\u0026ndash;44. This finding was consistent with a similar study conducted in Nigeria in which respondents overestimated the ages of slight and marked decline in female fertility (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e). Consequently, only a little more than one-third of the respondents were worried about their advancing age and ability to have children. The lack of knowledge and concern over the age-related decline in fertility may be attributed to the youthful age of the respondents.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhile in this study, health professionals, the Internet, and television were the primary sources of knowledge on age-related decline in fertility, women in Nigeria, Denmark, and the U.K. were informed through families, friends, the media, and common knowledge. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e) (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eChildbearing Intentions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eChildbearing intentions also varied drastically between the respondents. Almost 9 out of 10 of the respondents in this study planned to have children. This is comparable to the findings in a similar study in Saudi Arabia in which 8 out of 10 undergraduate students expressed the desire to have children (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e). Most students in this study hoped to have 4\u0026ndash;6 children in the future, starting from their late 20s and ending in mid-30s. They would have completed their family before age 35, after which age-related decline in fertility is most pronounced. This outcome was consistent with similar research in Sweden (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e). Most of the students in this study (62.96%) indicated that it would be crucial to have children and were willing to seek fertility treatment if they could not achieve a pregnancy. This contrasts with a survey conducted in Iraq, which reported the majority of undergraduate students opting for adoption so that they could concentrate on their careers (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study showed that 1 out of 4 (25.19%) of the students considered donating oocytes to a woman they know, while 41.48% considered donating their eggs anonymously to help infertile couples/women conceive a child. This contrasts with a study conducted in Belgium in which more women (40.2%) in their reproductive age considered donating their eggs to a woman they know, and 26.9% considered donating their eggs anonymously (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e38\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAttitudes Towards Social Egg Freezing\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eRespondents' attitudes towards oocyte freezing for non-medical reasons also varied drastically. Almost half (48.89%) of respondents would consider elective egg freezing because it would offer an opportunity to prolong a biological lifespan. However, the cost of elective egg freezing would prohibit the same number of respondents from preserving their fertility, and this finding resonates with the works done by Mertes \u0026amp; Pennings (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e39\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eLIMITATIONS\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study focused solely on a small number of undergraduate female students at a private university in Kumasi, Ghana. This narrow demographic may not represent the broader population of women in Kumasi or Ghana, limiting the generalizability of the findings.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"CONCLUSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe majority of participants in this study were young, single Christians who tended to overestimate their knowledge of fertility issues, particularly regarding age-related decline in fertility and elective egg freezing. Their primary sources of information were health professionals, the Internet, and television.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhile most respondents valued childbearing highly, they were reluctant to pursue parenthood without a partner. Few indicated willingness to donate eggs or accept donor eggs, often citing concerns about genetic ties. However, many expressed interest in egg freezing to preserve their reproductive options, though cost emerged as a significant barrier.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Abbreviations","content":"\u003cp\u003eART Assisted Reproductive Technology\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eET: \u0026nbsp;Embryo Transfer\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCHRPE.: Committee on Human Research, publications and Ethics\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIVF:\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;In-Vitro Fertilization \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eICSI: Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors wish to acknowledge the participants who consented and contributed to the success of this study.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors\u0026apos; contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cu\u003eConception of the Research Proposal\u003c/u\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMillicent Osaah, Elikplim Adzo Damalie, Francis Jojo Moses Kodzo Damalie, Charles Mawunyo Senaya\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cu\u003eProject Development, Data Collection and Analysis and interpretation\u003c/u\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMillicent Osaah, Vida Maame Kissiwa Amoah, Herbert Ekoe Dankluvi, Beatrice Yeboah, Francis Jojo Moses Kodzo Damalie, David Zawumya Kolbilla\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cu\u003eManuscript Writing\u003c/u\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMillicent Osaah, Vida Maame Kissiwa, Elikplim Adzo Damalie, Herbert Ekoe Dankluvi, Beatrice Yeboah, Francis Jojo Moses Kodzo Damalie, Charles Mawunyo Senaya\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll authors read and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo external funding was either sought or obtained for this study\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailability of data and materials\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this study, all methods adhered to the guidelines and regulations outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval, CHRPE/AP/057/24, was obtained from the Committee on Human Research, Publications, and Ethics (CHRPE) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), School of Medical Sciences.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticipation in the study was voluntary, and all communication on social media emphasized the anonymity of the survey and the non-collection of personal information from participants. Before beginning the study, participants were directed to a homepage outlining the project\u0026apos;s summary and inclusion criteria. They were informed of their right to exit by proceeding to the final page. Upon electronically agreeing to participate by ticking a consent box, participants could commence the online survey. The survey concluded with a \u0026apos;Submit\u0026apos; button, accompanied by a reminder that participants could only finalize their participation by clicking it.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBretherick KL, Fairbrother N, Avila L, Harbord SH, Robinson WP. Fertility and aging: do reproductive-aged Canadian women know what they need to know? Fertil Steril. 2010;93(7):2162\u0026ndash;8. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFriese C, Becker G, Nachtigall RD. Rethinking the biological clock: eleventh-hour moms, miracle moms and meanings of age-related infertility. Soc Sci Med. 2006;63(6):1550\u0026ndash;60. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOdame ML. Delayed Marraige and Fertility Transition in Ghana. University of Ghana Digital Collections; 2018. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGilhoed D, N.D. Infertility in rural Ghana. Int J Gynecol Obstet Off Organ Int Fed Gynaecol Obstet. 2002;137\u0026ndash;42. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBoivin J, Rice F, Hay D, et al. Associations between maternal older age, family environment and parent and child wellbeing in families using assisted reproductive techniques to conceive. Soc Sci Med. 2009;68(11):1948\u0026ndash;55. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFritz A Marc, Speroff Leon. Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility. Eighth. 2011. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmerican Society of Reproductive Medicine. Assisted Reproductive Technology, A Guide fo patients. 2018. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLallemant, C., Vassard, D., Andersen, A.N., Schmidt., L \u0026amp; Macklon, N. Medical and social egg freezing: internet based survey of knowledge and attitudes among women in Denmark and the U.K. Acta Obstet Gynelogica Scand. 2016;95:1402\u0026ndash;20. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLampic, C., Svanberg, A., Karlstrom, P., \u0026amp; Tyden, T. Fertility awareness, intentions concerning childbearing, and attitudes towards parenthood among female and male academics. Hum Reprod. 2006;21(2):558\u0026ndash;64. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLockwood, G.M. Social egg freezing: the prospect of reproductive immortality or a dangerous delusion? Reprod Biomed Online. 2011;23:332\u0026ndash;40. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlmeida-Santos, T., Melo, C., Macedo, A., \u0026amp; Moura-Ramos, M. Are women and men well informed about fertility? Childbearing intentions, fertility knowledge and information-gathering sources in Portugal. Reprod Health. 2017;14(91):1\u0026ndash;9. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGarcia, G., Vassena, R., Trullenque, M., Rodriguez A., \u0026amp; Vernaeve, V. Fertility knowledge and awareness in oocyte donors in Spain. Patient Educ Couns. 2015;98:96\u0026ndash;101. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBretherick, K.L., Fairbrother, N., Avila L., Harbord, S.H.A., \u0026amp; Robinson, W.P. Fertility and aging: do reproductive-aged Canadian women know what they need to know? Fertil Steril. 2010;93(7):2162\u0026ndash;8. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaeda, E., Sugimori, H., Nakamura, F., Kobayashi, Y., Green, J., Suka, M., Okamoto, M., Boivin., \u0026amp; Hidekazu, S, Maeda, E., Sugimori, H., Nakamura, F., Kobayashi, Y., Green, J., Suka, M., Okamoto, M.,. A cross sectional study on fertility knowledge in Japan, measured with the Japanese version of Cardiff Fertility Knowledge Scale (CFKS-J). Reprod Health. 2015;12(10):1\u0026ndash;12. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTozzo, P., Fassina, A., Nespeca, P., Spigarolo, G., \u0026amp; Caenazzo, L. Understanding social oocyte freezing in Italy: a scoping survey on university female students\u0026apos; awareness and attitudes. Life Sci Soc Policy. 2019;15(3):1\u0026ndash;14. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBell, K. Constructions of \u0026quot;infertility\u0026quot; and some lived experiences of involuntary childlessness. J Women Soc Work. 2013;28(3):284\u0026ndash;95. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003evan Loendorsloot, L.L., Moolenar, L.M., Mol, B.J.W., Repping, S., van der Veen, F., \u0026amp;, Goddjin, M. Expanding reproductive lifespan: a cost-effectiveness study on oocyte freezing. Hum Reprod. 2011;26(11):3051\u0026ndash;60. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDaniluk, J. C., \u0026amp; Koert, E. Childless women\u0026apos;s beliefs and knowledge about oocyte freezing for social and medical reasons. Hum Reprod. 2016;31(10):2313\u0026ndash;20. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003evon Wolff, M., Germeyer, A., \u0026amp; Nawroth, F. Fertility preservation for non-medical reasons. Dtsch \u0026Auml;rtzeblatt Int. 2015;112:27\u0026ndash;32. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLewis, E.I., Missmer, S.A., Farland, L.V., \u0026amp; Ginsburg, E.S. Public support in the United States for elective oocyte cryopreservation. Fertil Steril. 2016;106(5). \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStoop, D., Nekkebroeck, J., \u0026amp; Devroey, P. A survey on the intentions and attitudes towards oocyte cryopreservation for non-medical reasons among women of reproductive age. Hum Reprod. 2011;26(3):655\u0026ndash;61. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEspirito Santo, E.V., Dieamant, F., Petersen, C.G., Mauri, A.L, Vagnini, L.D., Renzi, A,\u0026hellip; \u0026amp;, Franco, J.G. Social oocyte cryopreservation: a portrayal of Brazilian women. Soc Oocyte Cryopreserv Portrayal Braz Women Assist Reprod. 2017;21(2):101\u0026ndash;4. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003evon Wolff, M., Germeyer, A., Liebenthron, J., Korrell, M., \u0026amp; Nawroth, F. Practical recommendations for fertility preservation in women by the FertiPROTEKT network. Part II: fertility preservation techniques. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2018;297:257\u0026ndash;67. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParamanantham, J., Talmor, A.J., Osianlis, T., \u0026amp; Weston, G.C. Cryopreserved oocytes: update on clinical applications and success rates. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2015;70(2):97\u0026ndash;114. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLevi-Setti, P.E., Patrizio, P., \u0026amp; Scaravelli, G. Evolution of human oocyte cryopreservation: slow freezing versus vitrification. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2016;23(6):445\u0026ndash;50. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGook, D.A. History of oocyte cryopreservation. Reprod Biomed Online. 2011;23:281\u0026ndash;9. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMilman, L.W., Senapati, S., Sammel, M.D., Cameron, K.D., \u0026amp; Gracia, C. Assessing reproductive choices of women and the likelihood of oocyte cryopreservation in the era of elective oocyte freezing. Fertil Steril. 2017;107(5):1214\u0026ndash;22. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBaldwin, K. Conceptualising women\u0026apos;s motivations for social egg freezing and experience of reproductive delay. Sociol Health Illn. 2018;40(5):859\u0026ndash;73. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWennberg, A. L., Rodriguez-Wallberg, K. A., Milsom, I., \u0026amp; Br\u0026auml;nnstr\u0026ouml;m, M. Attitudes towards new assisted reproductive technologies in Sweden: a survey in women 30\u0026ndash;39 years of age. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2016;95(1):38\u0026ndash;44. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIkhena-Abel, D.E., Confino, R., Shah, N.J., Lawson, A.K., Klock, S.C., Robins, J.C., \u0026amp;, Pavone, M.E. Is employer coverage of elective egg freezing coercive?: a survey of medical students\u0026apos; knowledge, intentions, and attitudes toward elective egg freezing and employer coverage. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2017;34:1035\u0026ndash;41. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHodes-Wertz, B., Druckenmiller, S., Smith, M., \u0026amp; Noyes, N. What do reproductive age women who undergo oocyte cryopreservation think about the process as a means to preserve fertility. Fertil Steril. 2013;100(5):1343\u0026ndash;9. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTan, S.Q., Tan., A.W.K., Lau, M.S.K., Tan, H.H., \u0026amp; Nadarajah, S. Social oocyte freezing: a survey among Singaporean female medical students. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. 2014;40(5):1345\u0026ndash;52. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbiodun, O., Alausa, K., \u0026amp; Olasehinde, O. Ignorance could hurt: an assessment of fertility awareness, childbirth intentions and parenting attitudes among university students. Int J Adolesc Ment Health. 2016;30(2):1\u0026ndash;11. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLallemant C, Vassard D, Nyboe Andersen A, Schmidt L, Macklon N. Medical and social egg freezing: internet‐based survey of knowledge and attitudes among women in Denmark and the U.K. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2016;95(12):1402\u0026ndash;10. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlfaraj S, Aleraij S, Morad S, Alomar N, Al Rajih H, Alhussain H, et al. Fertility awareness, intentions concerning childbearing, and attitudes toward parenthood among female health professions students in Saudi Arabia. Int J Health Sci. 2019;13(3):34. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eS\u0026oslash;rensen NO, Marcussen S, Backhausen MG, Juhl M, Schmidt L, Tyd\u0026eacute;n T, et al. Fertility awareness and attitudes towards parenthood among Danish university college students. Reprod Health. 2016;13(1):1\u0026ndash;10. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKhalil NS, Hassan IT, Saeed HD. Fertility awareness among medical and non-medical undergraduate university students in Al-Iraqia University, Baghdad, Iraq. Am J Med Sci Med. 2015;3(6):74\u0026ndash;8. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStoop D, Nekkebroeck J, Devroey P. A survey on the intentions and attitudes towards oocyte cryopreservation for non-medical reasons among women of reproductive age. Hum Reprod. 2011;26(3):655\u0026ndash;61. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMertes H, Pennings G. Social egg freezing: for better, not for worse. Reprod Biomed Online. 2011 Dec;Volume 23(7):824\u0026ndash;9. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-womens-health","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"bmwh","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Women's Health](http://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/bmwh/default.aspx","title":"BMC Women's Health","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Attitudes, Childbearing Intentions, Fertility, Knowledge, Social Egg Freezing","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4524125/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4524125/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs women increasingly delay childbearing for educational and career pursuits, understanding the age-related decline in ovarian reserve becomes crucial to avoid infertility. Egg freezing offers a solution, extending the window for achieving pregnancy with a biological child. However, awareness and acceptance of age-related fertility decline and elective egg freezing vary across countries and social groups.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis descriptive cross-sectional study investigates fertility awareness, childbearing intentions, and attitudes toward elective egg freezing among 138 undergraduate female students at a private university in Kumasi, Ghana. Data collection employed convenience sampling and a Google-App-based questionnaire.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe majority of respondents were young (below 28 years) (76.3%), Christians (79.26%), and single (57. 78%). Many respondents overestimated their knowledge of age-related fertility decline, with almost half (48.89%) incorrectly believing it occurs after age 40. Primary sources of fertility education included health professionals, the Internet, and television. While most (62.96%) considered childbearing necessary, they would not have a child without a partner. Acceptance of donor egg in-vitro fertilization (IVF) varied based on circumstances, and a significant portion were open to donating their eggs (41.48%). Awareness of elective egg freezing was low, but nearly half (48.89%) expressed interest in it, primarily to retain the option for a biological child. The cost of elective egg freezing was a significant deterrent.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study revealed a significant lack of awareness regarding age-related fertility decline and elective egg freezing among female university students in Kumasi. Most prefer having a biological child only with a partner. While few were open to donating their eggs or accepting the same to achieve a pregnancy, interest in elective egg freezing was notable, albeit hindered by cost barriers. The study recommends enhanced education by health professionals using social media and television to address these gaps.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Fertility Knowledge, Childbearing Intentions and Attitudes Towards Social Egg Freezing: a Study of Female Students of a Private University in Kumasi, Ghana","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-06-20 15:12:15","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4524125/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2024-06-04T11:20:23+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2024-06-04T00:20:29+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2024-06-04T00:20:29+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"BMC Women's Health","date":"2024-06-03T22:02:24+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-womens-health","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"bmwh","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Women's Health](http://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/bmwh/default.aspx","title":"BMC Women's Health","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"5c92d0ee-af5f-492d-83b5-708f229d6b42","owner":[],"postedDate":"June 20th, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2024-10-14T16:00:13+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-4524125","link":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03387-3","journal":{"identity":"bmc-womens-health","isVorOnly":false,"title":"BMC Women's Health"},"publishedOn":"2024-10-08 15:57:15","publishedOnDateReadable":"October 8th, 2024"},"versionCreatedAt":"2024-06-20 15:12:15","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1186/s12905-024-03387-3","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03387-3","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-4524125","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-4524125","identity":"rs-4524125","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}