Investigation of women's Reproductive History, attitude toward childbearing and associated factors in Rafsanjan City, Iran, 2021

Abstract

Background: Addressing recent population growth policies in Iran, this study aimed to determine the attitude toward childbearing, reproductive history, and factors associated with them in women of Rafsanjan City in 2021. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a census sampling method on 875 married women in 2019–2020 who referred to the premarital counseling center of Rafsanjan. For data gathering, a demographic checklist and childbearing attitude questionnaire were used. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square and t-tests. Results: Of the 875 study samples, 27.43% werein engagement period, 27.43% were married and childless, 39.31% were married and had children, and 5.83% were divorced. The outcome of 26.01% of pregnancies resulted in abortion. There was a direct correlation between childbearing attitude scores and the women'sreligiosity (P < 0.001). Women with lower educational levels, no income, unemployed and rural women, had a better attitude towards childbearing (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Although people's attitude towards childbearing is positive after three years of marriage, the number of live birth is low. The higher ratio of abortion in the total number of pregnancies compared to the average miscarriage rate, seems to indicate a high prevalence of unsafe and illegal abortion. Considering the potential risks, it is necessary to reconsider the policy of limiting the supply of family planning services, which increases unsafe abortion.