| 摘要: | 近年來，台灣出現了晚婚晚育的趨勢。生殖醫學，又稱輔助人工生殖技術 (Assisted Reproductive Technology, ART) 的使用量大幅增加，圍繞社會性凍卵(Social Egg Freezing, SEF）的討論也隨之增多。 先前的研究表明，教育程度、經濟考慮和文化價值觀等因素會影響女性對冷凍卵子細胞（Oocyte Cryopreservation, OC）技術的使用傾向。然而，台灣缺乏專門調查大眾對卵子冷凍態度的類似研究。本研究的目的為了解台灣育齡女性對於社會性凍卵（SEF）的態度和意願，並在2023 年1 月至2 月採用了線上調查，共計1,132 名年齡在25 至45 歲的台灣女性在線上回答了一份經過信度和效度測試的問卷，來評估他們對SEF 和生育保存的知識了解程度、凍卵意願和對其態度。
本研究發現台灣育齡女性普遍對於凍卵的認知度不足，且超過半數的想生育的女性行為消極，未進行任何與生育力相關的醫療檢查。大部分受訪者（62.6%）表示對凍卵相關知識理解有限，且大多數受訪者（66.5%）表示沒有SEF 意願，願意或已經接受過卵子冷凍保存的人較少（29.2%，4.3%）。有凍卵意願的受訪者會想使用凍卵服務的原因以「不知道未來會發生什麼事預先買個保險」(58.1%) 的比例較高。而台灣女性在凍卵意願上受到多種多種因素影響，包含「生育意願」、「收入」、「對凍卵知識的理解程度」。越想生小孩，越願意凍卵(P<0.001)；收入越高，越願意凍卵（P<0.01），發現「成本」是育齡女性在決定進行SEF 決策時的主要考慮因素。 越理解「凍卵的基礎知識」，越願意生育，或是也越願意凍卵(P<0.05)。因此，「提升對社會性凍卵基礎知識的認識」可能可提高女性對冷凍卵子細胞的意願。生育意願與凍卵意願有正相關，其中影響台灣女性參與社會性凍卵意願的因素之一是經濟考量，政府提供凍卵補助被認為是增強育齡女性參與生育保存傾向的可行策略。本研究對台灣社會凍卵方面的大眾態度、意識和意願進行了初探，研究的發現可為保持生育率和降低少子化提供有價值的見解。建議台灣政府和企業可以考慮提供SEF補助，同時實施生殖健康教育，並且建議針對SEF 提供特定的醫療資訊，這可能提升女性對使用冷凍卵子服務的傾向，以及同步獲得較高的伴侶或家人的支持。
In recent years, Taiwan has witnessed a trend of delayed marriage and childbirth. Concurrently, there has been a notable rise in the utilization of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and a surge in discussions surrounding Social Egg Freezing (SEF). Previous research has indicated that factors such as educational attainment, economic considerations, and cultural values can impact women's inclination towards Oocyte Cryopreservation (OC). However, there exists a lack of analogous studies in Taiwan, specifically investigating attitudes and awareness regarding egg freezing. The objective of this research is to find out the attitudes and intentions of Taiwanese women of reproductive age towards SEF. The study enlisted a total of 1,132 Taiwanese women aged 25 to 45, who were recruited through convenience sampling online from January to February 2023. These participants completed a reliability and validity tested questionnaire online, designed to assess their knowledge, intentions, and attitudes concerning SEF and fertility preservation.
These findings highlight the insufficient awareness among Taiwanese women of reproductive age regarding SEF. Additionally, over half of the participants interested in future parenthood assumed a passive stance, opting out of fertility-related medical checkups. On OC awareness, a significant portion of participants (62.6%) exhibited limited familiarity with OC. The majority of participants (66.5%) expressed no intention for SEF, while a smaller fraction demonstrated a intention to undergo OC or had already experienced the SEF procedure (29.2%, 4.3%). The reasons for considering OC vary, with a higher proportion citing "Preparing for the unknown future" (58.1%). Various factors influence Taiwanese women's intention for SEF, including “Fertility intention”, “Income” and “Egg freezing knowledge”. A stronger desire for childbirth corresponds to a higher inclination for OC (, P<0.001). Higher income is associated with a greater intention for OC (P<0.01), with "cost" emerging as a pivotal consideration for reproductive-age women in Taiwan when considering SEF decisions. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of SEF fundamental knowledge is linked to a higher intention for both fertility and SEF (P<0.05).
Hence, bolstering awareness regarding the core tenets of SEF may wield a pivotal role in shaping women's intentions toward OC. Higher fertility intentions are associated with a greater intention for OC adoption. One of the factors influencing the intention of OC is the economic considerations. It is posited that governmental provision of SEF subsidies may be a viable strategy to augment the inclination of women of reproductive age towards engaging in fertility preservation endeavors. This study marks the inaugural attempt to scrutinize the general public's awareness and receptiveness concerning SEF in Taiwan. In this light, both the Taiwanese government and corporate entities could contemplate providing SEF subsidies, coupled with the implementation of reproductive health education. The dissemination of targeted medical information concerning SEF is recommended, given its potential to enhance women's inclination toward OC and evoke more substantial support from life partners and family members. |
