Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Έρευνα στην Γυναικεία ΑναπαραγωγήLibrary of the School of Health Sciences
Supervisors info:
Αικατερίνη Αβραμιώτη-Λυκερίδου, Καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Μαιευτικής, ΠΑΔΑ, Επιβλέπουσα
Νικόλαος Φ. Βλάχος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Αντιγόνη Σαραντάκη, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Μαιευτικής, ΠΑΔΑ
Original Title:
Θέσεις, στάσεις και αντιλήψεις του γυναικείου πληθυσμού που εργάζεται σε σύγχρονη Μονάδα Εξωσωματικής Γονιμοποίησης, ως προς την κρυοσυντήρηση ωαρίων για κοινωνικούς λόγους
Translated title:
Awareness, intentions, and attitudes towards social elective oocyte cryopreservation among female staff in Assistant Conception Units in Athens, Greece
Summary:
Aim: The discrepancy between women's desire for reproduction and the biology of eggs has led to an increasing number of women using modern reproductive technologies to undergo egg cryopreservation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the knowledge level and beliefs of healthcare professionals regarding social egg freezing, as they are at the forefront of informing women on this matter
Methods: The study was cross-sectional and conducted in May 2024 among 105 female staff members at two of the largest medically assisted reproduction units in Athens: the Institute of Life IASO at IASO Maternity Hospital and the HYGEIA IVF Embryogenesis unit at Mitera Maternity Hospital, part of the HYGEIA Group. The study was anonymous, and a questionnaire was distributed by the researcher herself at the ART units, with informed consent obtained from all participants. The questionnaire used was based on the study by Kim et al. ("Awareness, intentions, and attitudes towards planned oocyte cryopreservation among female medical staff") and was utilized with written permission. The study underwent a formal validation process. The questionnaire was initially translated into Greek by a professional translator. Subsequently, the Greek version was back-translated into English by experienced academics proficient in English, who finalized the translated version of the questionnaire.
Results: The majority of participants strongly disagreed that egg cryopreservation should only be carried out for medically acceptable reasons. Regarding whether egg cryopreservation is a suitable option for all women, the largest percentage of participants strongly agreed. Concerning the right of all women to receive counseling and information on infertility during gynecological/obstetric visits, the majority of participants also strongly agreed.
The participants were further divided into two groups: one included women who had considered egg cryopreservation, and the other included women who either had not considered it or stated they were unsure if they desired egg cryopreservation. A comparison was made between the two groups to identify factors that might influence women's decision to consider freezing their eggs. A statistically significant age difference between the two groups suggests that women who had thought about egg cryopreservation were statistically younger. Additionally, women who had considered egg cryopreservation had statistically higher educational levels and higher monthly incomes.
There was a significant difference in the sources from which participants obtained information about egg cryopreservation. The comparison between the two groups indicates that accurate information provided through educational lectures and medical advice leads more women to think positively about egg cryopreservation. Both groups fully agreed that all women have the right to infertility counseling during ΟΒ/GYN visits.
Conclusion: Τhis study among reproductive-age female medical staff, showed awareness about planned oocyte cryopreservation and the belief of the significant proportion that its woman’s right to postpone pregnancy for social reasons and freeze their oocytes. All women have the right to receive counseling during OB/GYN visits through fertility preservation. Health care providers stand at the front line of education not only for female patients but also for themselves.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
Oocytes, Planned oocyte cryopreservation
File:
File access is restricted until 2025-12-05.
Manta Eirini MSc.pdf
2 MB
File access is restricted until 2025-12-05.
