Knowledge gaps among healthcare professionals regarding infertility: Exploring educational needs in primary healthcare setting-Morocco.

Abstract

Background: The role of healthcare professionals (HCPs) is paramount in improving fertility awareness and practices. This study aimed to explore the level of infertility knowledge among primary care providers in Fez-Meknes, Morocco.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in July-September 2023 concerning HCPs practicing in primary care establishments employing a snowball sampling technique. The questionnaire was designed and validated by an expert panel of sexual and reproductive health (SRH). It was consisted of 14 items concerning infertility knowledge and gives a score between 0 and 14. The basic infertility knowledge score (BIKS) was obtained to assess HCPs knowledge level.

Results: 641 HCPs were included; they had low level about basic knowledge of infertility. The total BIKS average of HCPs was found to be "05.08 ± 01.99". The mean nurses' score was "5.11 ± 2.02" and midwives' score was "5.03±;1.93". Three-quarters (75.4%) of respondents scored <7 to the 14 questions. Almost 60% did not know neither the meaning of primary infertility nor secondary infertility; just 27.9% reported that infertility is considered a disease by the WHO, and only 9% recognized the prevalence of infertility in Morocco. Education level and practicing setting were significantly associated with correct responses, 10^-3 and 0,02, respectively.

Conclusion: The finding of our survey asserts that nurses and midwives in primary healthcare lack basic knowledge about infertility. It is essential to provide them an appropriate education to assist Moroccan couple who are seeking their parental project as part of the promotion of SHR for all.