1- Instructor, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
2- Associate Professor, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3- Instructor, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
4- Instructor, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Allied Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
5- Instructor, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran , m.amerian43@yahoo.com
Abstract: (2286 Views)
Abstract
Introduction: Childbearing results from a productive behavior within the family arisen from couples’ decision to have children. The role of men in making decisions about childbearing and their intentions are often overlooked in studies. Objective: This study aimed to investigate males’ first childbearing decision and their contributing factors.
Materials and Methods: This was an analytical and cross-sectional study. In total, 300 married men aged 18-45 years participated in this study. The subjects accompanied their wives with the first pregnancy to receive prenatal care at hospitals and private health centers of Shahroud County, Iran. They were selected randomly. The required data were collected using A demographic form, Snyder’s Adult Hope Scale (AHS), and World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. The correlation between study variables was examined by Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Multiple Linear Regression analysis.
Results: The mean age at first childbearing decision and age at marriage in men were 28.8±3.74 and 25.59±3.68 years, respectively. Among the factors related to first childbearing decision, age at marriage suggested the highest association (r=0.89, P=0.001). The age at first childbearing decision also had a statistically significant relationship with marriage duration (r=0.29, P=0.001), and education (r=0.16, P=0.001). Quality of life had a negative significant correlation with it (r=-0.22, P=0.001). Age at marriage revealed the highest power for predicting contributing factors. With the 10-year increase in men's marriage age, the age at first childbearing decision increased by 8.9 years; with the 1-point increase in quality of life score, the age decreased by 0.09 years, if other variables remained constant.
Conclusion: Age at marriage and quality of life could affect age at first childbearing decisions in men. The healthcare team and policymakers should facilitate childbearing conditions. This could be achieved by providing accurate knowledge about these factors. As a result, men can achieve the desired number of children at the right time.
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● Childbearing results from a productive behavior within the family arisen from couples’ decision to have children.
● Males’ age at first childbearing decision is strongly related to age at marriage.
● Quality of life also affects the age at first childbearing decision of men. When couples are bio-psychologically facilitated to obtain information about the obstacles and problems of childbearing through various sources as well as the support of family and relatives, appropriate context is provided for their childbearing decision.
Plain Language Summary
Childbearing and a desire for being a mother/father are common in the Iranian society. Moreover, childlessness is not a desirable stage for couples. However, there is some evidence of delayed first births among recently married men. The current study investigated factors associated with first childbearing decision in men. The collected results suggested the effectiveness of quality of life, age at marriage, and education on this matter. Given the barriers and difficulties for couples, service providers must think of strategies and facilitate conditions for enabling men to reach the desired number of children at the right time. They should facilitate the first childbirth among people who are willing to study and work. Furthermore, couples must be assured about the existence of a balance between childbearing, education, and employment. Additionally, socioeconomic and family conditions must be appropriate for having children. Therefore, the diminishing effects of delayed first childbirth on future fertility could be controlled and the continued fertility decline be avoided.
Article Type :
Research |
Subject:
Special Received: 2019/10/20 | Accepted: 2019/11/27 | Published: 2020/01/1