The role of the Coronavirus pandemic on childbearing intentions in Iranian women based on path analysis: A cross-sectional study

Background: The Coronavirus disease (COVID-۱۹) may lead to couples not being physically and mentally ready to assume a parenting role. Objective: Given the changes in reproductive behaviors and the lack of accurate information about childbearing factors during the Coronavirus pandemic, this study was conducted to investigates the role of the COVID-۱۹ pandemic in Iranian couples’ childbearing intentions based on the theory of planned behavior model. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on ۴۰۰ married Iranian women from July to October ۲۰۲۰ using official online popular social networks. Data were collected using a demographic checklist and the researcher-made questionnaire, which was designed based on the main constructs of the planned behavior model. Results: Testing the indirect relationships of the mediation model effect showed a positive relationship between knowledge (β = ۰.۲۲۶, p < ۰.۰۰۱) and subjective norms (β = ۰.۱۵۵, p = ۰.۰۰۱) about COVID-۱۹. Anxiety about COVID-۱۹ mediated the relationship of knowledge (β = ۰.۱۰۵, p = ۰.۰۰۹), attitude (β = -۰.۱۲۵, p = ۰.۰۰۲), subjective norms (β = ۰.۲۳۸, p < ۰.۰۰۱), and perceived behavioral control (β = ۰.۵۱۳, p < ۰.۰۰۱) about COVID-۱۹ with childbearing intentions. Conclusion: The results showed that COVID-۱۹-induced anxiety can affect the relationship between the components of the theory of planned behavior model and childbearing intentions. Therefore, it is suggested that by designing appropriate interventions through anxiety-reducing and relaxation techniques, a fundamental step can be taken in increasing childbearing desires.

کلیدواژه ها:

Iran ، Delayed childbearing ، Reproductive behavior ، COVID-۱۹ ، Attitude. ، ایران ، فرزندآوری ، رفتار باروری ، کوید-۱۹ ، نگرش.