Health professionals, teachers and the public targeted by ESHRE global reproductive health education campaign

The evidence-based materials include 12 information leaflets covering topics that can affect a person’s ability to have children including endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, male and female infertility,

Joyce Harper, co-founder and Immediate Past-chair of the IRHEC, says the pamphlets have been co-designed through focus groups with young adults in the UK. Currently written in English, the leaflets will be translated into other languages in the near future.

A resource for teachers has also been co-designed by the IRHEC through work in UK schools and student surveys in the UK, Belgium, Greece and Japan. The document provides information on ten key topics relating to reproductive health:

• Puberty
• Menstrual cycle
• Fertility
• Contraception
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Infertility
• Pregnancy
• Menopause
• Cancers of the reproductive system
• Lifestyle

The third resource is a fertility education poster translated into five languages with more in the pipeline. The new poster replaces one produced by the IRHEC in 2019 which was aimed at people of all ages.

The updated poster was co-designed through focus groups with young people from the UK, Denmark and Sweden.

Fertility rates are declining globally, and Professor Harper says health campaigns are crucial to educate medical professionals, teachers and the public about reproductive health.

Professor Harper, from University College London in the UK, added: “There is a growing need for reliable information about reproductive health, and for a diverse range of educational resources for both the public and teachers.

“The IRHEC has been dedicated to creating such resources for many years, and is delighted to now offer these comprehensive materials.

“These resources will be continuously updated, and the IRHEC aims to use the power of social media to increase awareness and accessibility." 

Maria Ekstrand Ragner, IRHEC chair elect. said: “This marks a significant step forward in providing teachers, health professionals, and the public with valuable resources to better empower individuals worldwide to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

“The next important stage will be to evaluate how the resources are used in different countries and settings, ensuring they have the greatest impact."

Notes for Editors:

– The IRHEC was established in 2019 to improve fertility awareness and initially called the International Fertility Education Initiative. The collaboration of experts aims to reduce the prevalence of infertility and improve the health of future generations by raising standards in reproductive health education.
– ESHRE is the world’s leading society in reproductive science and medicine. The organisation promotes interest in, and understanding of, reproductive biology and medicine, and collaborates with politicians and policymakers throughout Europe.
 

For further information on the details of this press release, contact:
Laura Rossignoli at ESHRE
Mobile: +32 (0)499 25 80 46
E-mail: press@eshre.eu