Attitudes of Iranian mothers towards family planning, family size and fertility

Fertility and fertility control behaviour in the context of developing countries is substantially important because of its health, environmental, socioeconomic, and policy implications. This study investigates the fertility behaviour of 406 Iranian women, randomly selected from three regions of the capital city of Tehran. These women were once married, aged 15-45 years and fertile. Demographic, socioeconomic, attitudinal and policy-oriented variables relevant to fertility and fertility control behaviour together with psychological factors such as \u27subjective norms\u27 were taken into account in order to analyse the issues comprehensively. Data was collected through a questionnaire, including three scales for \u27abortion\u27, \u27contraceptive\u27, and \u27son preference\u27 with 20 items, and 33 questions which have been recognized as valid, important, and influential on fertility and fertility control behaviour. Alpha Cronbach was calculated for each scale separately and for all items collectively. It revealed a very high \u27intercorrelation\u27 and \u27internal consistency\u27 among items of each scale and all other items and demonstrated a very distinctive reliability. Chi-Square test, Analysis of Variance, Multiple and Stepwise Regression analysis were conducted in order to find association, differences, effects and importance of each variable on the sample\u27s attitudes and behaviour towards abortion, contraceptive usage, sex preference and family size. Demographic and socio-economic factors have significantly differentiated fertility behaviour of the respondent. A significant relationship was found between \u27duration of marriage\u27 and \u27existing family size\u27 on the one hand, and between \u27women\u27s status\u27, as a combined variable, and \u27ideal family size\u27 on the other. A similar significant relationship was also found between \u27women\u27s status\u27 and \u27ideal family size\u27 as well as \u27attitudes towards son preference\u27 (p\u3c.01). It has been concluded that \u27attitudes towards abortion\u27 and \u27contraceptive usage\u27 have mainly been affected by post-war socio-economic circumstances as well as policy-oriented variables. Multiple and stepwise regression analysis demonstrated \u27duration of marriage\u27 -\u27age at marriage\u27- as the strongest determinant of family size which accounts for about 62 per cent variation of \u27family size\u27 among the respondent. \u27Education\u27 as one of \u27women\u27s status\u27 variables demonstrated stronger effect on \u27family size\u27, \u27ideal family size\u27 and \u27son preference\u27 than did the other variable, \u27occupation\u27. \u27Perceived ideal family size among other families\u27 as a psychological factor, together with \u27existing family size\u27 of the respondents was recognized as major determinant of their \u27ideal family size\u27 and account for 29 out of 31 percent variation about the \u27ideal family size\u27 of the respondent. Data was processed by using SPSS and STATVIEW GRAPHICS statistical packages. All important and determinant variables and their multidimensional implications on fertility, fertility control and social life are investigated. The findings are discussed with reference to gender differences as well as other structural characteristics of the study site. The study revealed that \u27husbands\u27, \u27health workers\u27, \u27friends and neighbours\u27 are the most influential groups on fertility related behaviour of the respondents. There are also indicators of a successful family planning program effort on national level population growth control. It has also been asserted that the effectiveness of the programs is due mainly to post-war socio-economic circumstances. Despite this achievement, fertility control behaviour has a long way to be institutionalised and mean time there are some structural components which may favour higher fertility particularly in the absence of an effective family planing program