This preprint is under consideration at European Journal of Medical Research. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
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Lay Persons Views on Current and Novel Methods of Fertility Assessment and Supporting Conception: A Qualitative Study
Ka Ying Bonnie Ng
School of Human development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2770-6148
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background
There is an ongoing trend towards delayed childbearing; 1 in 6 couples suffer from subfertility. For couples needing IVF, one factor hindering advances in this area is lack of knowledge on in-vivo uterine conditions. A novel intrauterine sensor is currently under development to measure the intrauterine environment, as an innovative means of fertility assessment. Our study explored women’s views of current and novel methods of fertility assessment.
Methods
A qualitative study was performed. A purposeful sampling method was used to recruit participants from public spaces within Southampton. Women were eligible if they were of reproductive age, planning a pregnancy, nulliparous and not undergoing clinical investigation/fertility treatment. Semi-structured interviews explored pregnancy planning, understanding and experiences of current/novel methods aiming to assess and improve fertility. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached (n=16). Inductive thematic analysis was performed.
Results
The main factors influencing the decision of when to ‘start trying’ were education, financial stability and relationship status. Pregnancy was seen as a ‘physiological’ event without the need for intervention. Participants lacked knowledge of fertility indicators and had limited knowledge of available products to assess fertility/support conception. Although participants generally perceived a novel intrauterine sensor as acceptable and valuable, the main concerns centred around invasiveness, safety and discomfort.
Conclusions
When developing a novel medical device, healthcare professionals should be aware of the user’s knowledge and views at each stage. A clear added benefit over conventional methods is needed and addressing invasiveness, safety, and comfort may improve the acceptability of the device.
Keywords
Pregnancy planning, fertility assessment, conception, novel methods
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This preprint is under consideration at European Journal of Medical Research. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research
Lay Persons Views on Current and Novel Methods of Fertility Assessment and Supporting Conception: A Qualitative Study
Ka Ying Bonnie Ng
School of Human development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2770-6148
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 31 Dec, 2020
No community comments so far
Editor assigned
On 21 Dec, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 21 Dec, 2020
Editor invited
On 21 Dec, 2020
First submitted
On 20 Dec, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Health Economics & Outcomes Research
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background
There is an ongoing trend towards delayed childbearing; 1 in 6 couples suffer from subfertility. For couples needing IVF, one factor hindering advances in this area is lack of knowledge on in-vivo uterine conditions. A novel intrauterine sensor is currently under development to measure the intrauterine environment, as an innovative means of fertility assessment. Our study explored women’s views of current and novel methods of fertility assessment.
Methods
A qualitative study was performed. A purposeful sampling method was used to recruit participants from public spaces within Southampton. Women were eligible if they were of reproductive age, planning a pregnancy, nulliparous and not undergoing clinical investigation/fertility treatment. Semi-structured interviews explored pregnancy planning, understanding and experiences of current/novel methods aiming to assess and improve fertility. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached (n=16). Inductive thematic analysis was performed.
Results
The main factors influencing the decision of when to ‘start trying’ were education, financial stability and relationship status. Pregnancy was seen as a ‘physiological’ event without the need for intervention. Participants lacked knowledge of fertility indicators and had limited knowledge of available products to assess fertility/support conception. Although participants generally perceived a novel intrauterine sensor as acceptable and valuable, the main concerns centred around invasiveness, safety and discomfort.
Conclusions
When developing a novel medical device, healthcare professionals should be aware of the user’s knowledge and views at each stage. A clear added benefit over conventional methods is needed and addressing invasiveness, safety, and comfort may improve the acceptability of the device.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3