O-201 B2-INF: Giving voice to citizens towards improving assisted reproduction technologies for society. Gaps between young people’s perceptions and the information offered by ART providers

Abstract Study question Are the young citizens’ perceptions and expectations on Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ART) aligned with the information that ART clinics offer to citizens? Summary answer There is a gap between young citizen’s perceptions and expectations and the information offered by ART providers taking into account gender, sociocultural, and legal perspectives. What is known already Studies investigating young people’s opinions, concerns, and expectations in relation to ART are scarce. Some studies have highlighted that young adults reported low general knowledge about ART and overestimated its success rates. In addition, gaps in knowledge about fertility and the potential of ART have been described among this population. To our knowledge, there are no studies that compare young people’s perceptions with the information offered by ART providers. Study design, size, duration B2-Inf is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No 872706), to be executed in 36 months. B2-InF contrasts ART perceptions of young population from 8 countries (Spain, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia, Slovenia) with the information provided by ART clinics to society in the same countries. To reach this objective, a descriptive multicentre qualitative study was designed through semi-structured interviews and documentary data collection from ART clinics Participants/materials, setting, methods From March to December 2021, 10-15 semi-structured interviews were conducted in each country. Participants were men and women aged 18 to 30 years old, childless and non-ART users. Additionally, 3-5 clinics’ websites from each country were planned to be explored and clinics’ ‘physical information’, such as consent forms, were requested. All the information was collected and transcribed verbatim in the native language and afterwards translated into English. A thematic analysis was conducted using Atlas.ti V9. Main results and the role of chance In total, 98 interviews were conducted: 15 in Spain, 14 in Belgium, 13 in Italy, 10 in Switzerland, 15 in Kosovo, 11 in Albania, 10 in North Macedonia and 10 in Slovenia; and 33 clinics were explored: 5 in Spain, 5 in Belgium, 5 in Italy, 5 in Switzerland, 5 in Kosovo, 5 in Albania, 5 in North Macedonia and 3 in Slovenia. The themes that emerged in the analysis of interviews were: 1. Social perceptions of parenthood and fertility; 2. Young people’s perceptions on ART; 3. Information and publicity of ART. Participants described parenthood as a relationship beyond biological ties and identified infertility as a social taboo. Young’s perceptions on ART techniques were positive and most would use it in case of need, but the knowledge related to ART was limited. Most participants suggested that trustworthy national information campaigns led by Governments should be implemented to raise awareness of ART. Regarding clinics, information on websites addressed risk factors and prevalence of infertility. It included description of ART techniques with unclear data about success rates, economic information and clinics human resources and facilities. Gaps were identified between citizens’ expectations and needs and the online information provided by ART clinics. Limitations, reasons for caution This is a first thematic analysis that provides an overview of the possible gaps between young citizen’s expectations and the information provided by ART clinics. In next steps of B2-InF project, an in-depth qualitative analysis will be conducted considering gender, sociocultural, and legal perspectives. Wider implications of the findings This is the first systematic multinational study that compare young people’s perceptions about ART and information provided by ART clinics. Although this is a preliminary analysis, the results will be used to develop national guidelines to inform policies on ART services with potential impact on European citizens and ART providers. Trial registration number European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Grant Agreement No 872706)