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Increased age is a primary factor of infertility, and women pursuing health careers may be especially affected due to required multi-year education and training. Few studies have examined undergraduate student voices about the intersection of pursuing a health career and family planning intentions. Filling that gap, this qualitative study conducted focus groups (N = 11) with cisgender female undergraduate students (N = 23) at a university located in southcentral Texas. A coding scheme established a priori was used to analyze results, with iterative development of the scheme as analyses occurred. Results indicated that participants had thought extensively about how their intended health career intersects with their desire for a family. Family, culture, gender, and the intersection of career aspirations and family desires were all influencing factors. Overall, students expressed concern about navigating the intersection of having a family and a health career, and their lack of knowledge about fertility and assisted reproductive technologies contributed to a lack of definitive planning for their lives. Students suggested strategies to address their lack of knowledge and increase their planning capabilities. These ideas can guide sexuality education intervention development and implementation to ensure that strategies consider potential issues across the lifespan and provide resources accordingly.
Oswalt et al. (Tue,) studied this question.