Parity Progression Ratio Dynamics, Determinants, and Policy Approaches: A Study in Isfahan in 2020

Abstract

Background and aims: The fertility trend in Isfahan, as in other parts of the country, has decreased significantly in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the parity progression ratio (PPR) and factors affecting fertility. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted using a researcher-made questionnaire. Moreover, the study method was a survey, and the sample size included 662 married women aged 15 to 49 years. The study also employed a multi-stage cluster sampling method. Results: The results revealed that the cumulative fertility rate ((CFR=1.5) has decreased in Isfahan. There was also a significant relationship between the number of children with abortion (P=0.001), education (P=0.000), and employment of women (P=0.02). The results of multivariate regression with the control of women’s job type also indicated that the variables of the age of marriage and literacy of women (r=0.355, P<0.05) in householders, age of marriage (r=0.286, P=0.00) in unemployed, and literacy of women (r=0.336, P=0.016) in employed women have the highest explanation in childbearing. Conclusion: To increase fertility and childbearing, more attention should be paid to economic issues, inflation reduction, and employment rise so that we can witness an increase in marriage, followed by childbearing to the level of succession. The best way to maintain the level of substitution is the full and comprehensive implementation of population policies and the implementation of adaptive policies appropriate to the level of fertility.