Azadeh Arasteh - Ferdows School of Paramedical and Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
Amirhossain Akbariyan - Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
Fariba Asadi - Ferdows School of Paramedical and Health, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran/School of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Background and aims: Fertility is among the major components of the population, the reduction of which can cause irreparable socioeconomic damage to the country. Unfortunately, the fertility rate is declining, and it is lower than the critical level in Iran. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the factors influencing fertility desire in order to reveal more aspects of this issue. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study included all the rural and urban families referring to healthcare centers in Ferdows, Iran, in ۲۰۲۰. The participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling method. Finally, ۴۰۰ married men and women referring to the centers were assessed by the fertility desire scale (FDS). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics as well as the Mann- Whitney and Spearman tests by SPSS ۱۹.۰. Results: In this study, ۸۱.۲% of the participants were female, ۵۲.۵% of who aged ۲۵-۳۵ years old. The mean scores of fertility desire among urban and rural households were ۶۶.۶۹ ± ۹.۶۱ and ۶۵.۰۶ ± ۹.۰۸, respectively (P = ۰.۰۳). In all dimensions of the questionnaire except for childbearing worries, significant differences were observed between urban and rural households. These dimensions included positive childbearing motivations (P = ۰.۰۵), social beliefs (P = ۰.۰۴), and preferences (P = ۰.۰۰۴). Conclusion: The results obtained from this study can be used in population policies in order to build culture, support parents, and increase childbearing desire, especially in rural areas.

factors, Fertility desire scale, Urban and rural families, Healthcare centers