P-458 Development and validation of the fertility lifestyle assessment scale
Authors: Bilgiç D , Aluş Tokat M , Özöztürk S , Yanık F 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Study question
Can the development of the “Fertility Lifestyle Assessment Scale” contribute to the evaluation of person lifestyle habits related to fertility?

Summary answer
The development of the Fertility Healthy Lifestyle Assessment Scale will contribute to the evaluation of person lifestyle habits related to fertility.

What is known already
Healthy lifestyle habits are important for preparing the body and reproductive hormones for the demands of conception. Malnutrition, overeating, smoking, sedentary life, stress, sleep deprivation etc., situations all represent unhealthy lifestyles. The individuals may also preserve and increase fertility potential by modifying their lifestyles. Despite wide evidence about the benefits of healthy lifestyle for individuals with fertility problems, lifestyle is not systematically evaluated in generally fertility clinics. Current in study aimed to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool in order to determine risky lifestyle behaviors that may contribute to the development of fertility problems of individuals.

Study design, size, duration
A methodological study was conducted between July 2020- December 2021. An item pool (123 items) was prepared by reviewing the literature and the opinions of researchers and fertility experts. A multidisciplinary team of doctor, nurses and patient collaborated to asses suitability of each item of Fertility Lifestyle Assesment Scale. The Item Content Validity Index varied between .80 and 1.00. As a result a final 46-item Fertility Lifestyle Assessment Scale was developed.

Participants/materials, setting, methods
Participants (a) who can speak, read and write Turkish; (b) 18 years of age or older; married/single women or men, (c) who have not yet had children, and (d) who are considering having children in the future were included. The sample of this study consisted of 526 participants who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to be a part of the present study.

Main results and the role of chance
In the exploratory factor analysis (EFA), the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) coefficient of 46 items was .865 and the result of Bartlett’s sphericity test was χ2 = 15265.707, p &lt; .001. As a result of EFA, it was determined that the scale consisted of seven subscale. Also, seven subscales were exposed to explanatory analysis: “emotional well-being”, “physical activity”, “sleep quality”, “nutrition”, “clothing/hygiene”, “use of technology”, “spiritual dimension”. These seven subscales explained 71.25% of the total variance, which shows the power of the factor structure of the scale. The total Cronbach’s alpha was .87. The item-total score correlation coefficients ranged between .19 and .57. The Pearson correlation coefficients between subscale scores and scale total scores were between .21 and .98. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of the subscales ranged from .60 to .98. According to the Spearman–Brown analysis, the split-half correlation coefficient was .898. Item scores were different from each other (Hotelling’s T2 = 1189.347, p= .000). This scale is valid and reliable for measuring the healthy lifestyle for improving fertility of women and man who unmaried.

Limitations, reasons for caution
The limitation of the study was that only 3/1 of the sample to which the scale was applied was composed of men.

Wider implications of the findings
This scale can be used to evaluate fertility-related lifestyle factors in individuals who are considering getting pregnant starting from the preconceptional period or who have fertility problems and apply for treatment. The scale may be easily performed by healthcare professionals and may contribute to improve fertility.

Trial registration number
Not applicable