Evaluating the Factors Influencing Childbearing Motivation among Women Attending Comprehensive Health Centers

Zarei, Leila; Janani, Fatemeh; Mohamadi, Rasool; Eemami, Sepideh; Changaee, Farahnaz

doi:10.22087/ijac.2025.495624.1035

Evaluating the Factors Influencing Childbearing Motivation among Women Attending Comprehensive Health Centers

Document Type : Research

Authors

Leila Zarei ¹

Fatemeh Janani ²

Rasool Mohamadi ³

Sepideh Eemami ⁴

Farahnaz Changaee ⁵

¹ Palliative Care Research Center, U.R.C. Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran

² Social Determinants of Health Research Centre, Shahid Rahimi Hospital, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran

³ 3Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health and Nutrition Nutritional Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran

⁴ Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Khorramabad, Iran

⁵ Social Determinants of Health Research Centre, Shahid Rahimi Hospital, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran

10.22087/ijac.2025.495624.1035

Abstract

Iran is characterized by a low fertility rate, with both positive and negative childbearing motivations significantly influencing suboptimal reproductive outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the determinants of childbearing motivation among women attending the Comprehensive Health Centers affiliated with Lorestan University of Medical Sciences during 2022-23. The study included 534 women of reproductive age in Lorestan Province. Data were collected using a demographic and obstetric information questionnaire and a positive and negative childbearing motivation assessment questionnaire. The findings indicated that the mean age of the participants was 32.2 ± 6.17 years. No significant differences were observed in positive and negative childbearing motivations across different education levels. ANOVA results indicated that women with higher economic status exhibited significantly stronger positive childbearing motivation compared to other groups (P < 0.05). Additionally, significant correlations were found between pregnancy enjoyment and history of abortion (P = 0.027), caregiving challenges and number of living children (P = 0.01), pregnancy enjoyment and number of previous pregnancies (P = 0.04), and total negative motivation and previous pregnancy experience (P = 0.026). Positive and negative childbearing motivations and their subscales are associated with several variables, including economic status, prior pregnancy experience, number of previous pregnancies, history of abortion, and number of living children. Therefore, it is recommended that these variables be considered when developing strategies and policies for population rejuvenation. Further studies should be conducted in other provinces with diverse cultural backgrounds to gain a broader understanding of the issue and contribute to addressing demographic challenges.

Keywords

Childbearing

Fertility

Positive motives

Negative motives

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