Early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on fertility preferences in the United States: an exploratory study
- PMID: 34325920
- PMCID: PMC8421245
- DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.05.092
Early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on fertility preferences in the United States: an exploratory study
Abstract
Objective: To explore early disparate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on fertility preferences DESIGN: Cross-sectional study SETTING: Online survey questionnaire PATIENT(S): A total of 440 female participants who were trying to conceive (TTC) in the past year or currently are TTC.
Intervention(s): No interventions administered.
Main outcome measure(s): Change in fertility preference RESULT(S): Approximately 1 in 3 participants reported changing their fertility preferences because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of those that reported changing their fertility preferences, 23.9% reported TTC earlier and 61.6% reported TTC later. Preliminary findings show the odds of changing fertility preferences in black or African American women were 5.45 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50-19.90) times that of white women and in nonheterosexual women were 2.76 (95% CI, 1.41-5.42) times that of heterosexual women. Furthermore, every 1 unit increase in state anxiety and depressive symptoms was associated with a 26% (95% CI, 3%-54%) or 17% (95% CI, 5%-31%) increase in odds of pushing back TTC, respectively.
Conclusion(s): This exploratory study highlights how the fertility preferences of racial and ethnic minorities, sexual minorities, and those experiencing mental health issues may be disparately influenced by the pandemic. Research is needed to examine further the disparate effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on fertility preferences.
Efectos tempranos de la pandemia de COVID-19 pandemia en las preferencias de fertilidad en Estados Unidos: un estudio exploratorio.
Objetivo: Explorar los primeros impactos dispares de la pandemia de COVID-19 en las preferencias de fertilidad.
Diseño: Estudio transversal.
Entorno: Cuestionario de encuesta en línea.
Pacientes: Un total de 440 participantes femeninas que estaban intentando concebir (TTC) en el último año o que actualmente están TTC.
Intervención(es): No se administraron intervenciones.
Medida(s) de resultado principal(es): Cambio en la preferencia de fertilidad.
Resultado(s): Aproximadamente 1 de cada 3 participantes informó haber cambiado sus preferencias de fertilidad debido a la pandemia de COVID-19. De los que informaron de un cambio en sus preferencias de fertilidad, el 23,9% informaron que habían iniciado el embarazo antes y el 61,6% informaron que habían iniciado el embarazo más tarde. Los resultados preliminares muestran que las probabilidades de cambiar las preferencias de fertilidad en las mujeres negras o afroamericanas eran 5,45 (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 1,50-19,90) veces la de las mujeres blancas y en las mujeres no heterosexuales era de 2,76 (IC 95%, 1,41-5,42) veces la de las mujeres heterosexuales. Además, cada aumento de 1 unidad en los estados de ansiedad y síntomas depresivos, se asoció con un 26% (IC del 95%, 3%-54%) o un 17% (IC 95%, 5%-31%) en las probabilidades de retrasar el TTC, respectivamente.
Conclusiones: Este estudio exploratorio destaca cómo las preferencias de fertilidad de las minorías raciales y étnicas, las minorías sexuales y las personas con problemas de salud mental pueden verse influídas de forma dispar por la pandemia. Es necesario investigar más a fondo el efecto dispar de la pandemia de COVID-19 en las preferencias de fertilidad.
Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; disparity; fertility preference; pandemic.
Copyright © 2021 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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