Attitudes of married women aged 15-49 years in Hormozgan province, Iran towards childbearing: A qualitative study

The fertility rate in Iran is alarmingly low. Several factors influence the childbearing behaviors of women. This study aims to survey the attitudes of women aged 15-49 years towards childbearing in Hormozgan province, Iran to identify the factors affecting their childbearing behaviors

This is a qualitative study using a conventional content analysis method. Participants were 16 married women living in the west of Hormozgan province who were selected voluntarily and with maximum diversity. To ensure the acceptability of the data, the feedback of the participants was used. Data validity was determined by the opinions of a panel of experts.

Based on the results of the content analysis, two themes (concept of childbearing, barriers to childbearing), two sub-themes (internal, external), 7 main categories (positive mentality, negative mentality, identity, adequacy, economic, security/social, support), and 10 sub-categories (emotion-oriented mentality, benefit-oriented mentality, women, family, individual, professional, family-related, policy-making) were extracted.

The decline in women's values and beliefs towards childbearing and the inappropriate conditions of society in terms of security, well-being, and support policies are among the most important causes of low fertility in Hormozgan, which requires careful evaluation and the adoption of facilitating policies and strategies to improve their childbearing behaviors. The results of the interviews indicated the necessity of modeling women who are successful mothers in addition to their social activities. Solutions based on conditions and identity based solutions are proposed.