Undergraduate students’ knowledge, attitude and perceptions of infertility, infertility risks and treatment within universities in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Abstract

Infertility is a global issue that affects millions (Sami,2006). According to the World Bank, the fertility rate has declining trend in Kazakhstan. Infertility does not have only medical consequences, it also leads to psychosocial and economic issues, thus has public health importance (Rouchou, 2013). Social consequences of infertility consist of stigma, marital instability, social health risks and domestic violence (Rouchou, 2013). This types of social aspects of infertility were detrimental in setting psychological issues in infertile people. The psychological problems included depression, anxiety and identity predicaments (Hasanpoor-Azghdy, 2014). Fertility has immense importance for infertile people. But infertility treatment is costly, thus can bring a financial burden to those who cannot afford it (White, 2005; Boivin, 2007). Knowledge of infertility risks and its treatment options can help to decrease the incidence of infertility by educating youth.