Investigating of Factors Affecting the Fertility Pattern of Arak City in 2018 With the Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract

Background and Aim: Fertility pattern is one of the most important determinants of population fluctuations. Various individual and social factors affect this pattern. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting the fertility pattern using the structural equation model. Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 384 women were randomly selected from married women of childbearing age who referred to Taleghani, Valiasr, and Amir Al-Momenin hospitals in Arak as patients. After obtaining verbal consent to participate in the study, a researcher-made and valid questionnaire was completed for them. Structural equation modeling was used to measure the effect of important individual and social variables on fertility patterns. Data analysis and analysis were performed with AMOUS software version 11 and SPSS V. 22. Ethical Considerations: This study was registered with the ethics code IR.ARAKMU.REC.1396.4 by the Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences. Results: The Mean±SD age of the participants in the study was 40.03±11.19. The variables affecting the fertility pattern using the structural equation model included, respectively, the type of individual exercise, the method of contraception, the type of infertility treatment, and the duration of use of the contraceptive method. Conclusion: The results showed that physical activity, contraceptive method, and duration of use of this method and the type of infertility treatment were related to fertility pattern. By recognizing the factors affecting the fertility pattern and increasing the awareness of young couples, it is possible to help improve the fertility pattern.