Dataset Information

Association of income and education with fecundability in a North American preconception cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate socioeconomic determinants of fecundability.

Methods

Among 8654 female pregnancy planners from Pregnancy Study Online, a North American prospective cohort study (2013-2019), we examined associations between socioeconomic status and fecundability (the per-cycle probability of conception). Information on income and education was collected via baseline questionnaires. Bimonthly follow-up questionnaires were used to ascertain pregnancy status. We estimated fecundability ratios (FRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using proportional probabilities regression, controlling for potential confounders.

Results

Relative to an annual household income of greater than or equal to $150,000, adjusted FRs were 0.91 (95% CI: 0.83-1.01) for less than $50,000, 0.99 (95% CI: 0.92-1.07) for $50,000-$99,000, and 1.09 (95% CI: 1.01-1.18) for $100,000-$149,000. FRs for less than 12, 13-15, and 16 years of education, relative to greater than or equal to 17 years, were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.76-1.08), 0.84 (95% CI: 0.78-0.91), and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.84-0.95), respectively. Slightly stronger associations for income and education were seen among older women.

Conclusions

Lower levels of education and income were associated with modestly reduced fecundability. These results demonstrate the presence of socioeconomic disparities in fecundability.

SUBMITTER: Schrager NL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7541799 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Association of income and education with fecundability in a North American preconception cohort.

Schrager Nina L NL Wesselink Amelia K AK Wang Tanran R TR Hatch Elizabeth E EE Rothman Kenneth J KJ Mikkelsen Ellen M EM Boynton-Jarrett Renée D RD Wise Lauren A LA

Annals of epidemiology 20200715

<h4>Purpose</h4>The purpose of this study is to evaluate socioeconomic determinants of fecundability.<h4>Methods</h4>Among 8654 female pregnancy planners from Pregnancy Study Online, a North American prospective cohort study (2013-2019), we examined associations between socioeconomic status and fecundability (the per-cycle probability of conception). Information on income and education was collected via baseline questionnaires. Bimonthly follow-up questionnaires were used to ascertain pregnancy ...[more]

PMID: 32681982

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundAnimal and epidemiologic studies indicate that air pollution may adversely affect fertility. However, the level of evidence is limited and specific pollutants driving the association are inconsistent across studies.MethodsWe used data from a web-based preconception cohort study of pregnancy planners enrolled during 2013-2019 (Pregnancy Study Online; PRESTO). Eligible participants self-identified as female, were aged 21-45 years, resided in the United States (U.S.) or Canada, and were trying to conceive without fertility treatments. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire and bi-monthly follow-up questionnaires until conception or 12 months. We analyzed data from 8,747 participants (U.S.: 7,304; Canada: 1,443) who had been trying to conceive for < 12 cycles at enrollment. We estimated residential ambient concentrations of particulate matter < 2.5 µm (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) using validated spatiotemporal models specific to each country. We fit country-specific proportional probabilities regression models to estimate the association between annual average, menstrual cycle-specific, and preconception average pollutant concentrations with fecundability, the per-cycle probability of conception. We calculated fecundability ratios (FRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and adjusted for individual- and neighborhood-level confounders.ResultsIn the U.S., the FRs for a 5-µg/m3 increase in annual average, cycle-specific, and preconception average PM2.5 concentrations were 0.94 (95% CI: 0.83, 1.08), 1.00 (95% CI: 0.93, 1.07), and 1.00 (95% CI: 0.93, 1.09), respectively. In Canada, the corresponding FRs were 0.92 (95% CI: 0.74, 1.16), 0.97 (95% CI: 0.87, 1.09), and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.80, 1.09), respectively. Likewise, NO2 and O3 concentrations were not strongly associated with fecundability in either country.ConclusionsNeither annual average, menstrual cycle-specific, nor preconception average exposure to ambient PM2.5, NO2, and O3 were appreciably associated with reduced fecundability in this cohort of pregnancy planners.

Project description:Intake of conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables with higher levels of pesticide residue contamination has been associated with poorer semen quality and lower probability of live birth among couples undergoing fertility treatment. We examined the association between dietary intake of pesticide residues and fecundability, the per cycle probability of conception, in a preconception cohort of pregnancy planners. We enrolled women aged 21-45 years who were attempting to conceive without use of fertility treatment into Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO) from June 2013 through September 2019. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire on demographics, lifestyle factors, and medical and reproductive histories, and bimonthly follow-up questionnaires for up to 12 months or until reported conception. Ten days after baseline, participants completed the National Cancer Institute's Diet History Questionnaire II, a validated food frequency questionnaire. Using data from the USDA Pesticide Data Program, we classified fruits and vegetables as having high or low pesticide residues using a validated method. We examined the relation between greater intake of high- and low-pesticide residue fruits and vegetables with fecundability using proportional probabilities regression models, adjusted for potential confounders and accounting for consumption of organic produce. We restricted our analysis to 5234 women who had been attempting conception for ≤6 cycles at study entry, and further stratified by pregnancy attempt time at study entry (<3 vs. 3-6 cycles) to evaluate potential for reverse causation. Intakes of high- and low-pesticide residue fruits and vegetables were not appreciably related to fecundability in the full sample, or among women trying to conceive for <3 cycles at study entry. However, among women trying to conceive for 3-6 cycles at study entry, both high- and low-pesticide residue fruit and vegetable intakes were strongly inversely related to fecundability, indicating potential reverse causation bias. These results do not support the hypothesis that intake of pesticide residues from conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables is harmful to fertility, although non-differential exposure misclassification may have attenuated our findings.

Project description:BackgroundThe use of fertility indicators to predict ovulation has largely been studied for contraceptive purposes, while less so as fertility-promoting tools.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between fertility indicators and fecundability in Danish women trying to conceive.MethodsWeb-based preconception cohort study. We analysed data from 11,328 females aged 18-49 years trying to conceive without fertility treatment for ≤6 menstrual cycles, from the Danish SnartGravid.dk and SnartForældre.dk cohorts (2007-2023). Participants reported the use of fertility indicators (counting days since the last menstrual period, cervical fluid monitoring, urinary ovulation testing, feeling ovulation, using a smartphone fertility app and measuring basal body temperature [BBT]). Time to pregnancy was measured in menstrual cycles ascertained by self-reported pregnancy status. We estimated fecundability ratios (FR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using proportional probabilities regression models adjusted for age, socio-economic position, health indicators, reproductive history and gynaecological factors.ResultsFertility indicators were used by 63.3% of participants at study entry. Counting days was the most common (46.9%), while measuring BBT was the least (3.0%). Other indicators ranged from 17.0% to 23.6%, with 69.7% using more than one indicator. Compared with non-use, use of any fertility indicator was associated with greater fecundability (adjusted FR 1.14, 95% CI 1.08, 1.19). Cervical fluid monitoring showed the strongest association (aFR 1.46, 95% CI 1.03, 2.07), followed by urinary ovulation testing (aFR 1.35, 95% CI 1.16, 1.58) and counting days (aFR 1.18, 95% CI 1.09, 1.29). Feeling ovulation and fertility apps were modestly associated with fecundability, while measuring BBT was not associated. Sensitivity analysis restricting to ≤2 cycles of attempt time and two cycles of follow-up showed an aFR for any indicator use of 1.21 (95% CI 1.13, 1.31).ConclusionIn this Danish preconception cohort, use of fertility indicators was associated with a higher fecundability, varying by type of indicator.

Project description:BackgroundSeveral studies indicate adverse effects of selected heat exposures on semen quality, but few studies have directly evaluated fertility as an endpoint.ObjectiveWe evaluated prospectively the association between male heat exposures and fecundability, the per-cycle probability of conception.Materials and methodsWe analyzed data from 3041 couples residing in the United States or Canada who enrolled in a prospective preconception cohort study (2013-2021). At enrollment, males reported on several heat-related exposures, such as use of saunas, hot baths, seat heaters, and tight-fitting underwear. Pregnancy status was updated on female follow-up questionnaires every 8 weeks until conception or a censoring event (initiation of fertility treatment, cessation of pregnancy attempts, withdrawal, loss to follow-up, or 12 cycles), whichever came first. We used proportional probabilities regression models to estimate fecundability ratios (FR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between heat exposures and fecundability, mutually adjusting for heat exposures and other potential confounders.ResultsWe observed small inverse associations for hot bath/tub use (≥3 vs. 0 times/month: FR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.70-1.07) and fever in the 3 months before baseline (FR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.79-1.12; one cycle of follow-up: FR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.64-1.11). Little association was found for sauna use, hours of laptop use on one's lap, seat heater use, time spent sitting, and use of tight-fitting underwear. Based on a cumulative heat metric, FRs for 1, 2, 3, and ≥4 versus 0 heat exposures were 0.99 (95% CI: 0.87-1.12), 1.03 (95% CI: 0.89-1.19), 0.94 (95% CI: 0.74-1.19), and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.50-1.17), respectively. Associations were stronger among men aged ≥30 years (≥4 vs. 0 heat exposures: FR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.34-1.04).ConclusionMale use of hot tubs/baths and fever showed weak inverse associations with fecundability. Cumulative exposure to multiple heat sources was associated with a moderate reduction in fecundability, particularly among males aged ≥30 years.

Dataset Information

Association of income and education with fecundability in a North American preconception cohort.

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Association of income and education with fecundability in a North American preconception cohort.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets