Title: Medical Professional Knowledge of Fertility Awareness-Based Methods and Fertility Apps

Background: Digital health technology has increased the use of natural alternatives to contraception, such as fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) and fertility smartphone applications (apps). Individual and societal preferences for such methods prompts evaluation of medical professional preparedness to educate and advise the use of FABMs and fertility apps for patient use.

Purpose: To address the Healthy People 2030 vision for universal contraceptive availability. The World Health Organization’s conceptual framework was utilized to encompass reproductive rights and self-care interventions.

Methods: Quantitative measures were utilized in a two-part analysis.
1. A survey administered to 30 medical professionals at a rural clinic examined baseline knowledge of reproductive physiology, FABM efficacy for preventing pregnancy, and current fertility apps.
2. The survey results informed evidenced-based education seminars in a quasi-experimental pre-post-test design, tailored for healthcare providers (n=7) and nurses (n=11). The seminar targeted existing knowledge gaps identified through the survey and explored the potential for including FABMs in various reproductive healthcare encounters. Statistical analysis utilized SPSS software, version 28.1.

Results:
1. Survey scores demonstrated a critical need to educate medical professionals regarding reproductive physiology, indications for FABM use, FABM efficacy, and identifying evidence-based fertility apps.
2. A Shapiro Wilk test demonstrated abnormal distribution of data for the pre-post-test (P< .05). There was a general acceptance of incorporating FABMS in various patient interactions. The Likert scale mean was ‘agree.’ Most participants tied or had a positive ranking in the pre-post-test analysis. A Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test evaluated Likert scale topics with statistically significant results in one of four domains: ‘including FABMs in routine reproductive discussions,’ (z= -1.994, P=0.046).

Conclusions and Implications: A paucity of FABM knowledge exists among medical professionals, further emphasizing the necessity for standardized FABM education. These findings are congruent with current and previous research. Replication with a mixed-method cross-sectional design is strongly recommended.

Keywords: Fertility awareness-based method, FABM, digital health technology, fertility apps, reproductive knowledge

Accepted for Presentation: September 1, 2023.
Presented: September 29-30, 2023.

Corresponding Author: Desiree Rohling, DNP-FNP¹ (desiree_anne07@hotmail.com)

¹ Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minnesota, USA.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: No disclosures or fees were reported or received.

Cite: Rohling, D.   (2023, Septmeber 29-30). Medical Professional Knowledge of Fertility Awareness-Based Methods and Fertility Apps, [Conference presentation abstract]. Revitalizing Womens Healthcare Together. Minneapolis, MN, USA.