O-177 Fertility literacy in action: design and pilot results from the facts! Serious game in Europe

Abstract

With increasing infertility rates and the global trend toward delayed parenthood, fertility education is becoming an essential tool to support informed reproductive decision-making. Adolescence represents a critical period for promoting fertility awareness and fostering healthier reproductive trajectories over the life course. To improve fertility literacy among young people, Fertility Europe and associated researchers developed Facts!—an online serious game (https://myfacts.eu/) designed for adolescents. The game features nine questions focused on fertility-related topics, including the probability of conceiving, the definition of infertility, and modifiable risk factors such as age, smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use, and physical activity. The game’s interactive format allowed participants to accumulate stars for correct answers while progressing through four virtual scenarios. In collaboration with national patient associations affiliated with Fertility Europe, the game was promoted through social media and in-school campaigns, including direct outreach in secondary schools. Data were collected between July 2023 and November 2024 in Bulgaria, Norway, Poland, and Portugal. Adolescents aged 15 to 18 were invited to participate. Of the 4,648 who completed the game, 3,555 were eligible for analysis. This pilot study analyzed differences in fertility knowledge by country, gender, and age, as well as predictors of awareness in three core domains: infertility diagnosis, probability of conception, and age-related fertility decline. The narratives of adolescents, parents and teachers about the utility of this tool and its educational potential were also addressed using focus groups. Serious games like Facts! offer a promising, scalable approach to reproductive health education, delivering evidence-based content in a format that resonates with young audiences. Preliminary findings demonstrate that Facts! effectively engages adolescents and improves their understanding of fertility. Participants, parents, and teachers responded positively, highlighting the tool’s accessibility, educational value, and ability to spark meaningful discussions on reproductive health in both formal and informal settings. These findings support the integration of fertility awareness into broader health and education strategies, with the goal of equipping adolescents with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their reproductive futures.