Articles
Publication Date: 2025
BMC Public Health (14712458)25(1)
Background: Over the last three decades, the total fertility rate, especially in developing countries like Iran, has dramatically decreased. To make policies and adopt any practical program to increase fertility, it is important to identify the beliefs and values governing couples’ decisions for childbearing. Therefore, the present study aimed to explain the pattern of couples’ childbearing behaviors. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2020–2022 using an ethnographic method. Forty three participants were selected using a purposeful sampling method and a maximum variation strategy in Isfahan, Iran. In-depth semi-structured individual interviews, focused group discussions and daily notes were used to collect the data. Braun and Clarke’s approach of thematic analysis method was used to analyze the data. Results: The cultural pattern obtained from data analysis was “reconsidering childbearing based on current lifestyle”. Accordingly, participants believed that they should delay childbearing and have fewer children. Conclusions: Based on research findings, to increase the total fertility rate, policymakers should take into consideration the most significant challenges and cultural factors contributing to couples’ reluctance to childbearing or strengthen factors that can play a substantial role in fostering fertility and childbearing desires. © The Author(s) 2025.
Publication Date: 2024
Historic Environment: Policy and Practice (17567505)15(3)pp. 360-382
Approaches to cultural sustainability in the historic environment aims to recognise and leverage their inherent cultural potential. Historic areas have been the focus of increased attention due to their significant cultural capacity compared to other urban areas. This study aims to develop a conceptual model for cultural sustainability in historic environments, using Structural Functionalism Theory as its analytical framework. Cultural sustainability is conceptualised as a comprehensive construct, with its components drawn from various charters, declarations, and international protocols related to the preservation of historic sites, established by organisations like the Organisation of World Heritage Cities, UNESCO, and ICOMOS since the 1990s. Some components have also been chosen based on prior research. Through documentary research and literature reviews, the functions of each component are aligned with Structural Functionalism Theory. The research results offer a detailed analysis of the cultural sustainability system. In this framework, symbolic capital, cultural neighbourhoods, authenticity, and value serve the functions of adaptation, goal attainment, integrity, and latent pattern maintenance, respectively. This analysis follows the principles of the Structural Functionalism Theory by examining the distinct functions and roles of these components at the secondary level. The historic environment of Dardasht provides a practical example where the model has been applied. © 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Publication Date: 2023
Journal of Education and Health Promotion (22779531)12(1)pp. 48-48
The COVID-19 pandemic has had considerable consequences in many areas of life, including the social area and childbearing plans. The present narrative review aimed to examine the childbearing decisions and its related factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review was conducted by searching in scientific databases, including Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, Cochrane, PubMed, ProQuest, Scientific Information Database (SID), Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology (IranDoc) and Iranian Journal Database (Magiran) in June 2022. The search resulted in 111 sources, of which 16 were in line with the research objective. Couples have mainly cancelled or delayed their previous plans related to childbearing decisions. There are two groups of direct and indirect factors related to childbearing decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic: The former includes (1) well-being-related factors such as economic conditions, interpersonal relationships and gender roles in terms of task division; and (2) health-related factors, including health emergencies and physical and psychological health. The latter includes factors such as social distancing and social media. Based on the results, governments should facilitate childbearing by adjusting existing policies, addressing economic insecurity and protecting the livelihoods of those affected by the crisis. Health policymakers and planners must also prioritize women's access to reproductive health services in a safe environment while promoting equity in access. It is also necessary to promote the quality and quantity of indirect care and virtual counseling based on the needs of women in crisis. © 2023 Advanced Biomedical Research | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.
Publication Date: 2023
Iranian Journal Of Nursing And Midwifery Research (17359066)28(1)pp. 10-19
Background: Delay in parenthood and the related consequences for health, population, society, and economy are significant global challenges. This study was conducted to determine the factors affecting delay in childbearing. Materials and Methods: This narrative review was conducted in February 2022 using databases: PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, Science Direct, Cochrane, Scientific Information Database, Iranian Medical Articles Database, Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology, Iranian Magazine Database, and Google Scholar search engine. The search terms used included delayed childbearing, delayed parenthood, delayed fertility, delay of motherhood, parenthood postponement, deferred pregnancy, reproductive behavior, and fertility. Results: Seventeen articles were selected for final evaluation. The factors were studied at micro and macro levels. The factors in micro level fell into two classes: personal and interpersonal. Personal factors included extension of women's education, participation in the labor market, personality traits, attitude and personal preferences, fertility knowledge, and physical and psychological preparation. The interpersonal factors included stable relations with spouse and other important people. The macro level included supportive policies, medical achievements, and sociocultural and economic factors. Conclusions: Policy-making and enforcement of interventions, such as improvement of the economic conditions, increased social trust, providing adequate social welfare protection, employment, and support of families using such strategies as creating family-friendly laws, taking into consideration the conditions of the country will reduce the insecurity perceived by the spouses and contribute to a better childbearing plan. Also, improving self-efficacy, increasing couples' reproductive knowledge and modifying their attitude can be helpful to better decision-making in childbearing.
