Main findings
In this retrospective cohort study of 41546 women undergoing IVF with
embryo transfer, we showed that live birth was not significantly
different in women with different educational levels.
Higher educational level has been found to be related to lower incidence
and prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, and
chronic respiratory diseases [8]. The higher educational level also
leads to better use of health care services [9], more disease
prevention in terms of screening for sexually transmitted disease
[10], and a lower risk of low 5-min Apgar score [11]. However,
few studies have focused on the relationship between maternal
educational level and live birth after IVF.
In general, women with higher education are more likely to be involved
in healthy behavior such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and
regular check-up. Maternal educational level has been shown to be a
strong predictor of seeking medical help with infertility [12]. As
shown in this study, women with higher educational levels were more
likely to be thinner. At the same time, our findings showed that women
with less education were older, have longer infertility duration.
Education is a vital determinant of fertility behavior and outcomes. The
IVF treatment process is extremely complicated and requires efficient
coordination of multiple links [13]. Women with higher educational
levels have a higher chance of avoiding mistakes in the IVF process.
There have been several studies that have examined the association
between maternal educational level and fertility. Previous data from the
demographic and health surveys confirms that higher education is
associated with lower fertility [14]. The reason for reduced
fertility is usually owned to birth postponement and the high
opportunity cost of childbearing. More-educated women tend to marry
later, have a week orientation towards having families [15].
However, poor fertility knowledge is a contributory factor to many
couples not achieving their goal of parenthood [16]. Less-educated
women may be left ill-equipped to make informed choices about their
reproductive lives and relationships [17]. In addition, women with
higher levels of education have lower rates of depressive symptoms in
IVF treatment [18]. This may offset the detrimental effect of
postponing parenthood.