About Starting Families Asia Research

The Starting Families Asia study is the largest of its kind. With 10 countries in Asia surveyed (China, India, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand) 2011. Merck Serono commissioned the Starting Families Asia study to better understand Asian women’s decision-making considerations around having a baby.

Fertility rates are declining globally and in Asia, it is happening at a faster rate than in other regions. Yet, the majority of couples with infertility remain untreated. The Starting Families Asia findings indicate that critical knowledge gaps about fertility, social and personal barriers and limited treatment access are key factors contributing to this.

o   Key findings:

§  Desire is strong – 77% of women in Asia have a high level of desire for parenthood BUT they are in the dark about infertility

§  Despite trying to conceive for 6 months, 62% of respondents do not suspect any fertility problems

§  Close to 80% of women across Asia do not suspect that their husbands have a fertility issue

§  Less than 50% of the women and men who suspect a fertility problem have been diagnosed by a professional

§  Only 43% of women understand that a couple would be classified as infertile if they fail to conceive after one year of trying

§  Only 36% realise that a woman in her forties has a lower chance of getting pregnant as a woman in her thirties.

§  Only 32% know that a healthy lifestyle does not necessarily guarantee fertility

§  Only 30% recognise that obesity can reduce fertility

§  Half of respondents wrongly believe that a woman who never menstruates is still fertile

§  Yet, approximately half of these women who have been trying to conceive for more than 6 months are unaware of where their nearest fertility centre is located

§  Out of all the factors measured, the single greatest barrier to seeking help is the perceived high costs associated with fertility treatment.

§  77% of women surveyed perceived fertility treatments being too expensive

o   Key Actions to be taken as a result of findings:

§  Help couples understand what infertility is and how it can be treated

§  Education around the causes of infertility

§  Increase knowledge around men’s fertility issues

The findings, which have been endorsed by ASPIRE, will be shared with healthcare professionals and policy makers in the region to help them better understand the challenges we need to overcome to address declining fertility rates in Asia. We will work across the region to promote greater awareness of fertility issues and close knowledge gaps so that couples are empowered to conceive and start families. It is our hope that insights from this study will assist healthcare professionals and policy makers in addressing this acute challenge.

Source:

Ramonito Tampos, President & Managing Director (Merck Inc. - Philippines) & General Manager (Merck Serono Philippines)