Assisted Reproductive Technology: Gaps in young adults’ perceptions and information from clinics

Abstract Background Around 186 million individuals are facing infertility worldwide, with a huge impact on their wellbeing. Fertility care is considered a key element to promote reproductive health. This study aims to explore young adults’ knowledge, perceptions and concerns about infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), and to contrast it with the information provided by ART clinics. Methods A multi-country qualitative study was conducted in Albania, Belgium, Slovenia, Spain, Italy, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Switzerland within the H2020 B2-INF project (Grant Agreement 872706). In 2021, 10-15 semi-structured interviews were conducted in each country with participants aged 18-30, childless and non-ART users. Additionally, 3-5 clinics’ websites in each country were explored. Data was collected in native languages and translated into English. A thematic analysis was carried out. Results In total, 98 interviews were conducted and 38 clinics’ websites were explored. Three themes emerged from the analysis of the interviews: 1. Parenthood and (in)fertility; 2. Young people's perception on ART; 3. Information and publicity of ART. Parenthood was described as a relationship beyond biological ties and infertility as a social taboo. Most participants perceived ART positively and would use it if needed, although knowledge on ART was low. Participants considered information on ART as scarce and suggested that government-led information campaigns should be launched to raise awareness on it. Concerning clinics, the websites provided information on infertility and exhaustive technical descriptions of ART techniques, although it may be difficult for the general population to understand. Data offered on success rates were unclear and heterogeneous. Conclusions Gaps in citizens’ expectations and needs and the information provided by ART clinics were identified. Awareness campaigns are needed to diminish social taboo on infertility and ART and to promote reproductive health. Key messages • Assisted Reproductive Technology is positively perceived by young adults, though their knowledge of it and infertility is low. Information campaigns are thus needed to raise awareness among the young. • ART clinics have room for improvement in aligning the information provided on their websites with young people's perceptions and needs, and to show it in a more accessible and understandable way.


Background:
Around 186 million individuals are facing infertility worldwide, with a huge impact on their wellbeing. Fertility care is considered a key element to promote reproductive health. This study aims to explore young adults' knowledge, perceptions and concerns about infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), and to contrast it with the information provided by ART clinics.

Methods:
A multi-country qualitative study was conducted in Albania, Belgium, Slovenia, Spain, Italy, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Switzerland within the H2020 B2-INF project (Grant Agreement 872706). In 2021, 10-15 semi-structured interviews were conducted in each country with participants aged 18-30, childless and non-ART users. Additionally, 3-5 clinics' websites in each country were explored. Data was collected in native languages and translated into English. A thematic analysis was carried out.

Results:
In total, 98 interviews were conducted and 38 clinics' websites were explored. Three themes emerged from the analysis of the interviews: 1. Parenthood and (in)fertility; 2. Young people's perception on ART; 3. Information and publicity of ART. Parenthood was described as a relationship beyond biological ties and infertility as a social taboo. Most participants perceived ART positively and would use it if needed, although knowledge on ART was low. Participants considered information on ART as scarce and suggested that government-led information campaigns should be launched to raise awareness on it. Concerning clinics, the websites provided information on infertility and exhaustive technical descriptions of ART techniques, although it may be difficult for the general population to understand. Data offered on success rates were unclear and heterogeneous.

Conclusions:
Gaps in citizens' expectations and needs and the information provided by ART clinics were identified. Awareness campaigns are needed to diminish social taboo on infertility and ART and to promote reproductive health.

Key messages:
Assisted Reproductive Technology is positively perceived by young adults, though their knowledge of it and infertility is low. Information campaigns are thus needed to raise awareness among the young. ART clinics have room for improvement in aligning the information provided on their websites with young people's perceptions and needs, and to show it in a more accessible and understandable way.

Background:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic control measures actively involved people who were called to adopt new and unusual lifestyles. In this context, children had to stay home from school for weeks, had to adapt to new teaching methods and give up socializing. In many countries, not much attention was paid to the educational sector, and, ultimately, to children's physical and psychological well-being.

Objectives:
In this context, we developed an innovative health education audio-visual model to teach children about public health, empower them to adopt preventive behaviours and limit the risk of infection transmission in schools and in the community.

Results:
We designed and produced the animated cartoon series ''Leo&Giulia'' to convey solid scientific content and key public health messages related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to primary school-aged children. Contents and dialogues were validated by a scientific committee composed of experts in the fields of public health, paediatrics, infectious diseases, and neuroscience, as well as communication experts. The first episode of Leo&Giulia focused on COVID-19 and explained to children what SARS-CoV2 was, its transmission and why schools were closed. Endorsed by the European Commission, it was broadcasted by national public and private television channels and went viral on social media. The second episode of Leo&Giulia, funded by the Italian Ministry of Research, was launched in April 2022 and focused on vaccines and immunization explaining to children how vaccines work and why herd immunity is important for collective health.

Conclusions:
Leo&Giulia is an innovative health education project to help children to better understand how to cope with COVID-19 as a public health challenge. More broadly, the series aims to increase youth engagement by promoting public health values and healthy behaviours. Key messages: Health promotion targeting children is important and contributes to societal health and wellbeing.