Sileo KM, Reynoso G, Torok K, Moreno AN, Miura LN. Balancing career goals and parenthood desires: results from a survey of undergraduate pre-health students at a hispanic-serving institution in Texas.
J Am Coll Health 2024:1-11. [PMID:
38227926 DOI:
10.1080/07448481.2023.2299420]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To examine family planning and fertility experiences and views, as well as desired parenthood timing and career plans, of diverse undergraduate pre-health students.
PARTICIPANTS
266 pre-health undergraduate students attending a Hispanic-Serving Institution in South Texas.
METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional, online survey with a purposive sample of undergraduate students and analyzed data descriptively.
RESULTS
Most students desired children in the future but were concerned about planning the timing of parenthood against their career training. The results highlight the need to improve both family planning and fertility knowledge, based on a high unmet need for contraceptives, low perceived knowledge about fertility/infertility treatment, and a desire to learn more about planning the timing of their career training alongside parenthood.
CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights potential gaps in reproductive health information and services among diverse, health-focused students needed to inform choices about the timing of their families and career training.
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