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Fertility intentions among couples in Shanghai under COVID‐19: A cross‐sectional study
Author(s) -
Zhu Chenfeng,
Wu Jiahao,
Liang Yan,
Yan Li,
He Chuqing,
Chen Luting,
Zhang Jian
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1002/ijgo.13366
Subject(s) - medicine , cross sectional study , covid-19 , fertility , demography , environmental health , population , virology , outbreak , pathology , sociology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease
Objective To evaluate fertility intensions among couples in Shanghai under the novel coronavirus infection (COVID‐19) pandemic against the backdrop of persistently low fertility. Methods A cross‐sectional study was carried out using data from studies conducted before the COVID‐19 pandemic. Data were collected regarding sociodemographic characteristics, history of reproduction and gynecology, fertility intention before and after the COVID‐19 pandemic, female psychological state, and the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on daily life. Results Under the influence of COVID‐19, 296/447 (66.2%) participants did not change their original fertility intention to have children, while 151/447 (33.8%) of participants were affected by the outbreak. Participants who believed in government and hospital control policies were less likely to change their intention to become pregnant ( P < 10 –3 , P < 10 –3 ). In contrast, concerns about the impact of COVID‐19 on female and fetal health led participants to cancel their original pregnancy plans ( P < 10 −3 ). Conclusion Three in ten couples of childbearing age, who originally expressed their intention of becoming pregnant, canceled their pregnancy plans after the COVID‐19 outbreak. The COVID‐19 outbreak has brought new challenges to people’s physical and mental health. Effective policies and measures can help to improve people’s fertility intentions with respect to having children.