The role of the Coronavirus pandemic on childbearing intentions in Iranian women based on path analysis: A cross-sectional study

Background: The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may lead to couples not being physically and mentally ready to assume a parenting role. Objective: Given the changes in reproductive behaviors and the lack of accurate information about childbearing factors during the Coronavirus pandemic, this study was conducted to investigate the role of the COVID-19 pandemic in Iranian couples’ childbearing intentions based on the theory of planned behavior model. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 married Iranian women from July to October 2020 using official online popular social networks. Data were collected using a demographic checklist and the researcher-made questionnaire, which was designed based on the main constructs of the planned behavior model. Results: Testing the indirect relationships of the mediation model effect showed a positive relationship between knowledge (β = 0.226, p < 0.001) and subjective norms (β = 0.155, p = 0.001) about COVID-19. Anxiety about COVID-19 mediated the relationship of knowledge (β = 0.105, p = 0.009), attitude (β = -0.125, p = 0.002), subjective norms (β = 0.238, p < 0.001), and perceived behavioral control (β = 0.513, p < 0.001) about COVID-19 with childbearing intentions. Conclusion: The results showed that COVID-19-induced anxiety can affect the relationship between the components of the theory of planned behavior model and childbearing intentions. Therefore, it is suggested that by designing appropriate interventions through anxiety-reducing and relaxation techniques, a fundamental step can be taken in increasing childbearing desires. Key words: Iran, Delayed childbearing, Reproductive behavior, COVID-19, Attitude.