Investigating the Fertility Pattern of Married Women of Reproductive Age in Miyaneh and Their Tendency to Have Children in 2021

Ezzatolla  Gharebagheri; Hojjat  Zeraati; Saharnaz  Nedjat; Habibeh  Moradi; Akbar  Fotouhi

doi:10.18502/ijre.v21i2.19911

Ezzatolla Gharebagheri MSc in Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Hojjat Zeraati Professor of Biostatistics, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Saharnaz Nedjat Professor of Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Habibeh Moradi Head of Population and Family Health Unit, Miyaneh Health and Treatment Network, Miyaneh, Iran
Akbar Fotouhi Professor of Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijre.v21i2.19911

Keywords: Fertility, Fertility pattern, Desire to have children, Free family planning program

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The removal of the free family planning program was implemented in Iran following the decrease in the fertility rate. This study evaluated the impact of this decision on couples' willingness to have children, the use of contraceptives, the increase in unwanted pregnancies and illegal abortions, especially in rural areas.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a descriptive-analytical approach, conducted in 2021 on 592 married women aged 10–54 in Miyaneh. Data were collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire through a multi-stage random sampling method and analyzed using logistic and Poisson regression models.

Results: The mean (± standard deviation) of number of children of couples was 2.15 ± 1.01. The level of education and age at marriage of women were identified as the variables affecting the number of live children born. The desire for children was significantly related to the number of live-born female children (OR = 0.23, CI 95%: 0.12, 0.44) and current male children (OR = 0.12, CI 95%: 0.05, 0.25). Unwanted pregnancies in the first half of 2021 were 2.3 times higher than in the same period in 2020.

Conclusion: The results showed that education and age at marriage significantly affect fertility patterns. Most couples consider two children ideal and do not wish to have any more. The removal of the family planning program led to increased unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions. Thus, revisiting population policies and improving access to family planning services is essential.