Investigating the Desire for Childbearing and Its Related Factors in Jiroft in 2022

Haniyeh Salehi  Sarbijan; Tanya  Dehesh; Firuzeh  Mirzaei; Armita  Shahesmaeilinejad

doi:10.18502/ijre.v21i2.19914

Haniyeh Salehi Sarbijan Master’s Student in Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Tanya Dehesh Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Firuzeh Mirzaei Associate Professor, Department of Reproductive and Family Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Armita Shahesmaeilinejad HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijre.v21i2.19914

Keywords: Fertility, Associated factors, Jiroft city

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Declining fertility rates have become a significant demographic challenge in Iran. This study aimed to evaluate the extent of desire for childbearing and its associated factors among women in Jiroft, Iran, in 2022.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 600 married women under 49 years of age who attended comprehensive health centers in Jiroft. Data were collected using a questionnaire that covered demographic information and questions related to the study objectives. Statistical analysis, such as frequency, percentage, and logistic regression, was performed using SPSS version 20 software.

Results: The current desire for childbearing was found to be 32.7%, while the future desire was 59.7%. The primary reasons cited for desiring children were the wish to be a mother (94.4%) and the love for children (93.9%). Conversely, the main reasons for not desiring children included concerns about securing the future of children (57.2%) and the increased economic burden of having another child (50%). Factors significantly associated with the desire for childbearing were the number of children (one child vs. no child: OR=5.23,95% CI: 2.03–13.49; two children vs. no child: OR=2.21,95% CI: 0.98–5.001), the subscale “Child as a Pillar of Life” (OR=1.02,95% CI: 1.008–1.04), the subscale “Postponing Childbearing to the Future” (OR=1.06,95% CI: 1.05–1.08), and the subscale “Childbearing Requires Prerequisites” (OR=1.01,95% CI: 1.002–1.03).

Conclusion: Overall, one-third of the women who participated in this study currently desired childbearing, and nearly two-thirds expressed a desire for it in the future. A positive attitude towards childbearing emerged as the most essential factor associated with this desire.