Using Regression Trees to Find the Factors Influencing the Level of Knowledge about Fertility and the Diet That Supports It among People Dancing in Max Dance Studio in Białystok

Abstract

Many studies confirm the fact that women do not have sufficient knowledge about reproductive health, which is a significant problem nowadays due to the large percentage of people who suffer from infertility. A sources of knowledge from which information about health, including reproductive health, is obtained have various levels of reliability. The aim of the study was to use regression trees to find which of the analysed parameters had the greatest impact on the level of respondents’ knowledge about fertility and the impact of diet on fertility. The study was conducted among women who practice dance in Max Dance studio in Białystok. The group consisted of 42 women with an average age of 26.3 years, dancing in various dance styles at various levels of proficiency. A questionnaire on lifestyle and a sources of information on fertility was used; the questionnaire also contained a knowledge test focused on reproductive health and the impact of diet on fertility, in which the questions were based on information from the latest research. Three regression trees were created for three indicators determining the level of respondents’ knowledge. The obtained results revealed certain areas that have a significant impact on the level of knowledge about reproductive health, which may require additional education. The use of the regression trees method made it possible to determine the relationships between the analysed data that were not fully visible after standard biostatistical analyses had been performed. The created trees can be useful in improving the process of disseminating knowledge about reproductive health among women of childbearing age.