Informing couples about infertility and the role of a nurse

Uvod: Populacija v reproduktivnem obdobju s svojim življenjskim slogom ne deluje v prid svoji plodnosti, za kar je posledica vedno večji odstotek neplodnosti tudi v razvitih državah. Nepoznavanje dejavnikov tveganja, ki vplivajo na neplodnost, znatno podaljša čas iskanja pomoči in tudi samo možnost zanositve. Namen: Želeli smo proučiti razširjenost in uspešnost informiranja o neplodnosti v različnih izvedenih raziskavah po svetu in poudariti pomen informiranosti o neplodnosti pri parih. Predstaviti pa smo želeli tudi pomembnejše dejavnike, ki vplivajo na informiranost, zmotna prepričanja o neplodnosti in načine informiranja, ki so znak dobre prakse. Z vidika zdravstvene nege smo predstavili vlogo medicinske sestre pri promociji znanja in podpori neplodnim parom. Metode dela: Uporabili smo deskriptivno raziskovalno metodo, narejen je sistematični pregled literature. Časovni okvir objav iskane literature je od leta 2007 do meseca julija 2018. Literaturo smo iskali v slovenskem in angleškem jeziku v podatkovnih bazah CINAHL (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature), NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information), ScienceDirect, PubMed in COBIB.SI. Identificirali smo 1015 enot, v analizo smo vključili 40 člankov. Rezultati: Dejavniki, ki vplivajo na informiranost, kot so starost, spol, izobrazba, kultura in geografska lega države, vplivajo na dojemanje neplodnosti, način iskanja pomoči in soočanja z neplodnostjo. Zmotna prepričanja, ki krožijo med populacijo, vzbujajo strah in dajejo lažen občutek varnosti, da se težave s plodnostjo ne morejo pojaviti, so še vedno zelo pogosta. V tradicionalnih družbah, kot sta Iran in Pakistan, imajo zli duhovi in magija močan vpliv na dojemanje neplodnosti. Med najučinkovitejše načine informiranja smo izpostavili državne programe, spolno vzgojo v šolah in posvet s strokovnjakom, saj podajajo preverjeno in kakovostno literaturo. Medicinska sestra ima pomembno vlogo pri obravnavi parov in nudenju podpore. S svojim znanjem in izkušnjami je pomemben člen v procesu obravnave in informiranja. Potrebno pa je zavedanje kontinuiranega izobraževanja medicinskih sester za podajanje kakovostnih informacij. Razprava in sklep: Nepoznavanje menstrualnega ciklusa, slabo zanimanje moških za reproduktivno zdravje, nizka izobrazba, nerazvitost držav in kulturni vplivi so eni izmed vzrokov za slabo informiranost. S predstavljenimi dejavniki, ki povzročajo neplodnost, lahko celostno in specifično začrtamo inovativne predloge za izboljševanje informiranosti in zavedanja vpliva neplodnosti pri parih. Osredotočena izobraževanja, razvoj nacionalnih programov ter kakovostna in redna preventiva so cilj izboljšanja znanja ter zavedanja o neplodnosti. Poznavanje in samozavedanje sta temelja za kakovostno reproduktivno zdravje.Introduction: The current population’s lifestyle during their reproductive years is often bad for people’s fertility, which consequently leads to a higher percentage of infertility in developed countries. Not knowing the risk factors that can affect fertility can prolong the time in which individuals decide to seek help, which in turn also lowers individuals’ chances of successful impregnation. Purpose: We wished to study the extent and success of infertility awareness strategies in different researches across the world as well as emphasise the importance of infertility awareness for couples. We also wished to present the most important factors that affect awareness, common misconceptions about infertility, and examples of good awareness-spreading methods. Through the healthcare perspective, we described the role of nurses in the promotion of knowledge and how they can support infertile couples. Methods: We used a descriptive research method with a systematic overview of literature. The timeframe criteria for publications was set between January 2007 and July 2018. We searched for publications in the Slovenian and English language in the following databases: CINAHL (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature), NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information), ScienceDirect, PubMed and COBIB.SI. With this method, we identified 1015 units, but we analysed 40 carefully chosen articles. Results: Factors that affect awareness like age, gender, education, culture, and the geographical position of a country, all influence the perception of infertility, help-seeking methods, and dealing with infertility. Some still common misconceptions in the minds of the current population can elicit fear and give a false sense of security that infertility problems cannot occur. In traditional societies like in Iran and Pakistan, it is believed that evil spirits and magic have a very strong influence on the perception of infertility. As examples of the most successful methods of increasing awareness, we highlighted national programs, sexual educations in schools, and consulting an expert, since they present verified and high-quality sources. Nurses play an important role in examining couples and providing support. With their knowledge and experience, they are a significant link in the process of treatment and increasing awareness. However, it is important that nurses have access to continuing education so that they can provide quality and up-to-date information. Discussion and conclusion: Some of the reasons for low infertility awareness are low knowledge on the menstrual cycle, low interest of men in reproductive health, low education, underdevelopment of countries, and cultural influences. By presenting factors that lead to infertility, we can prepare comprehensive and specific innovative suggestions for increasing awareness and perception of infertility in couples. Focused trainings, development of national programmes, and high-quality and regular preventive measures are the goal of increasing infertility knowledge and awareness. In addition, learning and self-awareness are the basis of a good reproductive health