ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Given the increasing rate of cesarean sections in Iran, as a major health problem and its effects on maternal mortality, the present study aimed at determining the predictive capacity of the "theory of planned behavior" [TPB] regarding the intention for having "natural childbirth" in pregnant women of Birjand city in 2015
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 195 pregnant women in their 20[th] to 24[th] gestation weeks were incorporated via convenience sampling method. The data collection tool was the standardized questionnaire developed based on the TPB constructs. The reliability of the questionnaire, was approved using Cronbach's alpha in the domains of knowledge, attitude, perceived behavioral control, and the subjective norms were 0.71, 0.71, 0.87, and 0.87, respectively. The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS [V. 16], using Pearson's correlation coefficient to determine the role of each construct and regression analysis tests. The significant level was P< 0.05 and beta=0.415] and perceived behavioral control [P<0.05] and beta=0.342] were respectively the best predictors of intention to natural childbirth
Conclusion: The current study showed that TPB can predict pregnant mothers' intention of having natural childbirth