Decision-making factors in the childbearing of women working at Birjand University of Medical Sciences during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Problem considered: The emergent corona disease has increased the death rate and reduced the birth rate. The researchers aim to examine the decision-making factors in fertility from the point of view of the working women of the … University of Medical Sciences during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, all married women working in the BUMS, as the population of the study, were included. A cluster sampling method was used and 262 people were selected. To collect data, a questionnaire was used concerning the factors influencing fertility decision-making during the Covid-19 pandemic. The content validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed. After gathering questionnaires, data were analyzed using SPSS-19 and descriptive and analytical statistical methods. Results: Factors affecting fertility decision-making have been presented in 6 areas. The area of knowledge about fertility was at the optimal level and the other areas were at the average level. There was no significant relationship between the variable of knowledge and other factors affecting fertility. Likewise, there was a statistically significant direct relationship between the attitude variable and mental norms (p = 0.009, r = 0.16), perceived behavioral control (p < 0.001, r = 0.416), preferences, and tendencies (p < 0.001, r = 0.557). Besides, a statistically significant relationship existed between attitude and covid worry in the opposite direction (p < 0.001, r = − 0.384). Conclusion: The results of the current study revealed that an attitude is a more important factor than knowledge in determining the childbearing of working women during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study also implies that interventions to improve the attitude of working women towards childbearing may be more effective than interventions to increase their knowledge.

Keywords

• Decision-making factors
• Fertility
• Working women
• Covid-19