Reproductive life planning in Sechenov University students: a survey

BACKGROUND: Medical students, as future doctors, have a prominent role in shaping medical culture and public opinion. Creating educational programs, events, and campaigns to support families with children, as well as instilling a positive attitude towards multi-child parenting in medical students, can help to increase birth rates in the near future.

AIM: The work aimed to analyze the reproductive potential of medical students, identify factors influencing birth rates, and assess the commitment to traditional family values among young people.

METHODS: An anonymous online survey among Sechenov University students was conducted. Primary endpoint: to obtain the results of the online survey (completed online questionnaires). Secondary endpoints: to analyze the findings and perform a comparative analysis of the answers based on the year of study and sex.

RESULTS: The survey was conducted between August and December 2024. A total of 1785 students responded, including 1441 (80.7%) females and 344 (19.3%) males. The majority of respondents do not plan to have children while attending the University, citing financial constraints, housing issues, and concerns about the impact on their careers and childbirth. One of the main reasons for delaying motherhood is the desire for self-fulfillment and a successful career. Many female respondents claim that they delay having children in order to pursue a career and provide for themselves financially. A college degree leads to a desire for a higher social status, and women who pursue college education have more options for effective self-fulfillment outside of motherhood.

CONCLUSION: Sustainable population growth necessitates long-term efforts to improve welfare and strengthen families. One potential strategy is to encourage medical students to promote family values and support multi-child parenting. The majority of medical students surveyed prioritize a successful career over family planning, without considering the age-related decline in fertility.