Volume 22, Issue 6 (10-2024)                   Nursing and Midwifery Journal 2024, 22(6): 463-475 | Back to browse issues page

Research code: A-10-4203-1
Ethics code: IR.UMSU.REC.1401.332
Clinical trials code: A-10-4203-1


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Mesgarzadeh M, Rabiepur S, Gharaaghaji R, Pashaei Z. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHILDBEARING MOTIVATIONS AND FERTILITY PREFERENCES OF COUPLES REFERRING TO COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CENTERS IN URMIA CITY IN 2022. Nursing and Midwifery Journal 2024; 22 (6) :463-475
URL: http://unmf.umsu.ac.ir/article-1-5122-en.html
1- Lecturer, Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran , mesgarzadeh2005@yahoo.com
2- Professor of Reproductive Health, Midwifery Department, Reproductive Health Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
3- Professor of Biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
4- Master's student in counseling in midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
Abstract:   (1199 Views)
Background & Aim: Population changes due to declining fertility and increasing life expectancy are significant global concerns, particularly in Iran. The desire to have children and the fertility preferences are two crucial factors that strongly influence the reproductive decisions of couples. The motivation to have children is a multifaceted issue influenced by cultural, behavioral, and religious aspects, and it evolves in the context of population changes, as well as economic and social development. Fertility preferences are directly linked to the desire to have children, reflecting the emotional desires of couples. The study aimed to determine the link between childbearing motivations and fertility preferences of couples attending comprehensive health centers in Urmia City in 2023.
Materials & Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study on 223 couples referred to comprehensive health centers in Urmia City. The research used a multi-stage sampling method and employed the demographic information questionnaire, Miller's Childbearing Motivation Questionnaire (1995) and Miller's Fertility Preferences Questionnaire (1995) for data collection. The data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 20 and various statistical tests.
Results: The results indicated that there was no statistically significant difference between men and women in their positive motives for having children (p < 0.05). However, women had significantly more negative motives for having children than men (p < 0.05). The findings also revealed that as the positive motives for having children increased, the desire to have children increased, particularly among men who desired to have girls (p = 0.02). The time between marriage and the couple's first fertility decreases (p<0.001). Also, the findings showed that with the increase in the positive motives of having children, the desire to have children increases especially with the desired gender of the girl among men. (p=0.002). However, in women under this study, if there is a desire for the child to be a girl, their negative motivations also decrease (p<0.001). This finding applies to men as well, and they also showed less negative motivations as they increased their desire for the child to be a boy (p=0.04).
Conclusion: There is a positive and significant relationship between fertility preferences and positive motivations for having children, that is, with the increase of these motivations, people's desire to have children increases. Therefore, policies based on creating positive incentives to have children can have a significant impact on increasing the country's fertility rate.

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Type of Study: Research | Subject: مامایی

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