Risky Business: Increasing Fertility Knowledge of Men in the General Public Using the Mobile Health Application Infotility XY

Abstract

Male infertility presents a public health concern. As most men wish to become fathers, it is important to increase men’s awareness of infertility risk factors. We developed a mobile health application (mHealth app), Infotility XY, to promote men’s reproductive health. This study evaluates whether use of the app led to increased knowledge of infertility risk factors, and whether knowledge change was associated with participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and/or app usage. Participants were recruited between August and October 2020. Eligibility criteria included: identified as male; 18–45 years old; childless; no infertility history; able to read and write in English/French; had internet access. We assessed participants’ fertility knowledge before and after app use. App usage data were captured during the 2-week intervention period. Our sample included 49 men aged 18–45. Seventy-eight percent of participants had not previously sought fertility information. Participants viewed on average 75% of the app’s articles, and 96% of participants said the app increased their fertility knowledge. Before app use, 55% of men said they were aware of infertility risk factors, compared to 96% after app use. Men correctly identified more risk factors after app use compared to before, t(48) = 8.28, p < .001. Participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and amount of app usage were not associated with knowledge change. This study provides evidence of the feasibility of an mHealth app to improve men’s awareness of infertility risk factors. Given the positive relationship between male reproductive health and overall health, increased awareness of infertility risk factors may lead to men’s improved overall health.

“No One Asked Me If I’m Alright”: A Mixed-Methods Study Exploring Information/Support Needs and Challenges Engaging Men Diagnosed With Male-Factor Infertility

“…Quantitative data indicated that participants’ knowledge of factors relating to male infertility was limited. These findings are not dissimilar to previous research using the same scale, often finding generally low levels of fertility knowledge despite high self-rated perceived knowledge ( Daumler et al, 2016 ; Kruglova et al, 2021 ). Re-scoring Daumler et al’s (2016) scale based on our knowledge and updated research evidence on factors relating to male infertility slightly improved participants’ knowledge scores, indicating that our sample’s knowledge about factors currently known to impact male infertility was better than initially indicated.…”

Male infertility, what Mobile Health Applications “know”: quality analysis and adherence to European Association of Urology Guidelines

“…YO Sperm Test Wi-Fi can make patients feel that they are participating in the management of their disease. The (31). Their study showed evidence of the feasibility of MHAs to improve men's knowledge about fertility, about risks factor.…”

Effectiveness of a web‐based partnership support program for preventing decline in the quality of life of male patients undergoing infertility treatment: A quasi‐experimental study

“…However, the degree of “Infotility” use was not correlated with demographics, mental health, or diagnostic results in men (Miner et al, 2022). Moreover, Kruglova, Gelgoot, et al (2021) evaluated “Infotility XY,” a mobile application for increasing reproductive knowledge of men. They reported that “Infotility XY” increased fertility knowledge and awareness of infertility risk factors.…”