Assessment of Turkey IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) websites according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)/Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) guidelines

Objective: To evaluate websites of in-vitro fertilisation centres in terms of standardised ethical guidelines for advertising. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in Turkey from February to April 2017. A total of 148 IVF centre websites were evaluated in terms of objective criteria in accordance with American Medical Association, American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, American Society for Reproductive Medicine / Society for Assisted Reproductive. Technology guidelines for advertising. Websites were surveyed with attention paid to success rates, testimonials, sales promotions, price, psychological support offered as part of the service, regulating / certifying bodies, misleading language, and the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. Results: Out of 193 centres, 148(76.7%) had active websites; 104(70.3%) private, 38(25.7%) in university hospitals and 6(4%) in state hospitals. Of them, 103(69.6%) centres used at least one example of misleading language when compared to the relevant guidelines. Among these centres, 82(79.6%) were private, 18 (17.5%) university hospitals and 3(2.9%) were state hospitals. Conclusion: A massive majority of websites related to in-vitro fertilisation centres did not follow standardised guidelines for advertising.