Elham Rajabi - Health in Emergency and Disaster Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Hamidreza Khankeh - Health in Emergency and Disaster Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Maryam Ranjbar - Health in Emergency and Disaster Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mirtaher Mousavi - Social Welfare Management Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mehdi Norouzi - Social Determinants of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mehrdad Farokhi - Department of Clinical Sciences and Education, Karolinska University, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background: Women are at higher risk of death during disasters due to physical, biological, psychological, and cultural differences. After a disaster, they experience more miscarriages, premature births, inadequate fetal growth, low birth weight, sexual violence, and unwanted pregnancies. This study aims to investigate the reproductive health status of women affected by the ۲۰۱۷ earthquake in Kermanshah, Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in ۲۰۱۸. The study population consists of women aged ۱۵-۴۹ years (Mean age=۳۱.۷ years) living in Sarpol-e Zahab, Javanrood, and Thalas Babajani towns in Kermanshah city affected by the earthquake in ۲۰۱۷. The questionnaire used for assessing the status of reproductive health in women was the Reproductive Health Assessment Questionnaire for Women of Reproductive Age, which has already been localized in Iran and its reliability and validity have been confirmed. Native Kurdish language experts completed the questionnaires on behalf of ۳۹۶ participants. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the variables. Results: It was found that ۴۲.۴% of women complained of abnormal menstruation and ۳۴.۰۹% of limited menstrual hygiene materials. Sixty women were pregnant at the time of the earthquake, all of whom gave birth in hospital; two had miscarriages, two had premature births, and one had stillbirth. Urinary tract infection was the most common problem (۲۱%) in pregnant women. Moreover, ۴۸% of women used contraceptive methods after the earthquake, the most commonly used method was the use of contraceptive pills (۲۳%). Access to contraception methods was difficult for ۱۴.۴% of them after the earthquake. Furthermore, ۲۵% had experienced violence after the earthquake; of these, ۳۰ reported physical violence, ۸۶ verbal violence, and ۱۳ sexual violence. Conclusion: The control of pregnancy and safe delivery in earthquake-affected areas of Kermanshah is relatively acceptable; however, the provision of reproductive health services seems to be challenging. It is recommended to pay attention to the menstrual hygiene of women and regular distribution of contraceptives (despite the current population growth plan), address sexual acts of violence, and develop a protocol to support the victims.

Women, Disasters, Reproductive health, Earthquake, Reproductive age