KNOWLEDGE AND CONCERNS ON INFERTILITY AND ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY AMONG GRADUATING STUDENTS OF KAHS AT IIUM KUANTAN

Abstract

Introduction: Infertility is a disease that is common in one in six people today. One of the ways to reduce the rate of infertility is perhaps by raising basic knowledge and awareness especially in the young adults, as they will most likely embark on family life following completion of their studies. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge on infertility and assisted reproductive technology including the association to the level of physical, emotional and economical concerns on in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection infertility treatments among graduating students of the Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences at International Islamic University Malaysia in Kuantan. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 124 graduating students with a breakdown of 102 females and 22 males. The sampling method used in this research was purposive sampling. Online survey data from respondents were run in SPSS version 26. Results: It was found that the score of knowledge of infertility and assisted reproductive technology and the score of concerns on in vitro fertilisation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection procedures among these students were of a good level, being more than 80% achievement. However, there were no differences observed in the knowledge and awareness on infertility and assisted reproductive technology (p=0.813), as well as concerns on in vitro fertilisation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection procedures (p=0.264) between male and female students. A positive correlation was shown between knowledge of infertility and assisted reproductive technology and concerns on in vitro fertilisation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection procedures (?=+0.249, p=0.005,). Conclusion: The graduating students of the Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences at IIUM have adequate knowledge of infertility and assisted reproductive technology but concerns regarding related treatment procedures seemed substantial. These findings indicate that implementing an awareness program could be advantageous for individuals who are at a stage where they are considering starting a family.