relationship of socio-demographic factors, fertility behavior and child's perceived value with fertility intention of women in a region in the East of Iran

Background: Fertility intention is one of the strongest predictors of couple's fertility behavior that is affected by many variables. This study aimed to identify the relationship of socio-demographic factors, fertility behavior, and child's perceived value with fertility intention of women in a region in the east Iran

Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 241 married women aged between 15 and 49 years of Torbat Heydariyeh City in 2015, were studied. The data collection scales included a demographic information form, fertility information questionnaire and Trommsdorff's child value questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 by Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, t-independent test and logistic regression. The significance level of P<0.05 was considered

Results: Most of the subjects [52.7%] had no fertility intention. Independent-samples test and Kruskal-Wallis revealed significant differences in fertility intention with the subject's age, mate's age, number of children and costs of children [P=0.001]. In addition, in subjects with children of both sexes, intention for childbearing was significantly lower when compared to subjects with only one sex in children [P=0.001]. However, when the logistic regression test was performed, being housewife, number of children, having children of both sexes, benefit and costs of children showed statistical significance [P<0.05]

Conclusion: The results indicate that being housewife, number of current children, having children of both sexes, and perceived childbearing costs are important in determining the odds that a woman will intend to have a child. These findings can contribute to the realization of new population programs towards higher fertility rate in the country

Factors affecting the use of long-acting and permanent contraceptive methods among married women of reproductive age in East of Iran

Background: Long-acting and permanent contraceptive methods [LAPMs] are the most effective approaches to reduce fertility. The study of factors associated with the use of LAPMs is one of the key steps in finding the population involved in reduced fertility

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess factors affecting the use of LAPMs among married women of reproductive age in Torbat Heydariyeh city, East of Iran

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 304 married women aged 15 - 49 years in Torbat Heydarieh in 2016. Data were collected using demographic and fertility questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS 13 by descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis

Results: The current overall prevalence of using LAPMs was 21.4%. The multivariate analysis showed that utilization of LAMPs was less frequent among the participants with diploma [AOR = 0.357, 95% CI = 0.156 - 0.817] and academic education [AOR = 0.418, 95% CI = 0.174 - 1.003] compared to women who had primary and secondary education. However, the utilization of LAPMs was more frequent in those with high income level [AOR = 8.364, 95% CI = 3.994-17.511] and those with higher number of living children [AOR = 2.247, 95% CI = 1.585-3.187]

Conclusions: The persistent use of LAPMs is largely determined by education and income level and the number of surviving children. Reproductive health programmers can consider this group of women for interventions aiming at improving the fertility rate