Table 3.
Knowledge and common misconceptions about factors that may affect sterility
| Question
|
Response
|
P-value* | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May any of the following affect sterility? | Yes N (%) | No N (%) | Do not know N (%) | |
| Abnormal menses (ovulatory factors) | ||||
| IVF | 67 (64.4)*** | 22 (21.2) | 15 (14.4) | 0.001** |
| OP | 116 (43.1)*** | 84 (31.2) | 69 (25.7) | |
| Blocked tubes | ||||
| IVF | 81 (77.8)*** | 9 (8.7) | 14 (13.5) | 0.032** |
| OP | 177 (65.8)*** | 22 (8.2) | 70 (26.0) | |
| History of infections of the genitourinary tract in women | ||||
| IVF | 52 (50.0)*** | 27 (26.0) | 25 (24.0) | 0.127 |
| OP | 164 (61.0)*** | 49 (18.2) | 56 (20.8) | |
| History of infections of the genitourinary tract in men | ||||
| IVF | 58 (55.8)*** | 28 (26.9) | 18 (17.3) | 0.240 |
| OP | 167 (62.1)*** | 51 (19.0) | 51 (18.9) | |
| Drinking alcohol | ||||
| IVF | 56 (53.9)*** | 20 (19.2) | 28 (26.9) | 0.163 |
| OP | 123 (45.7)*** | 77 (28.6) | 69 (25.7) | |
| Smoking | ||||
| IVF | 53 (51.0)*** | 33 (31.7) | 18 (17.3) | 0.059 |
| OP | 125 (46.5)*** | 116 (43.1) | 28 (10.4) | |
| Vigorous exercise | ||||
| IVF | 21 (20.2)*** | 64 (61.5) | 19 (18.3) | 0.163 |
| OP | 52 (19.3)*** | 187 (69.5) | 30 (11.2) | |
| Previous use of contraceptive pills | ||||
| IVF | 46 (44.3) | 31 (29.8)*** | 27 (25.9) | 0.830 |
| OP | 114 (42.4) | 89 (33.1)*** | 66 (24.5) | |
| Previous use of intrauterine devices | ||||
| IVF | 82 (78.8) | 14 (13.5)*** | 8 (7.7) | 0.100 |
| OP | 184 (68.4) | 62 (23.0)*** | 23 (8.6) | |
| Black magic | ||||
| IVF | 75 (72.1) | 10 (9.6)*** | 19 (18.3) | 0.275 |
| OP | 177 (65.8) | 43 (16.0)*** | 49 (18.2) | |
| Djinns/supernatural causes | ||||
| IVF | 66 (63.4) | 14 (13.5)*** | 24 (23.1) | 0.196 |
| OP | 151 (56.1) | 58 (21.6)*** | 60 (22.3) | |
| Psychological distress | ||||
| IVF | 75 (72.1)*** | 17 (16.4) | 12 (11.5) | 0.008** |
| OP | 158 (58.7)*** | 87 (32.3) | 24 (9.0) | |
| Marriage at an advanced age | ||||
| IVF | 56 (53.8)*** | 35 (33.7) | 13 (12.5) | 0.081 |
| OP | 117 (43.5)*** | 125 (46.5) | 27 (10.0) | |
| Endocrine problems | ||||
| IVF | 69 (66.4)*** | 17 (16.3) | 18 (17.3) | <0.001** |
| OP | 102 (37.9)*** | 62 (23.1) | 105 (39.0) | |
| Diabetes mellitus | ||||
| IVF | 34 (32.7)*** | 53 (51.0) | 17 (16.3) | 0.397 |
| OP | 92 (34.2)*** | 147 (54.6) | 30 (11.2) | |
| Obesity | ||||
| IVF | 73 (70.2)*** | 20 (19.2) | 11 (10.6) | 0.026** |
| OP | 149 (55.4)*** | 86 (32.0) | 34 (12.6) | |
| % mean score (±SD) | ||||
| IVF | 45.91 ± 1.71 | t = 2.144, P = 0.035*** | ||
| OP | 41.68 ± 1.05 | Padjustment = 0.37 | ||
Notes:
*
Chi square test was applied;
**
statistical significance at P < 0.05. P-value adjusted for age, gender, occupation, and monthly income;
***
correct knowledge.
Abbreviations: N, number; IVF, in vitro fertilization group; OP, fertile outpatient group; SD, standard deviation.