Religiosity and attitudes toward childbearing among Iranian college students: A cross-sectional study

Background: Given Iran's fertility rate falling below the replacement level and the efforts of policymakers to address this issue, it is crucial to investigate this research gap. This study aims to explore the relationship between religiosity and the attitude towards childbearing among students in medical colleges. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in ۲۰۲۱ among ۱۴۴ medical students from a medical college using convenience sampling. Attitude towards childbearing and religious orientation were assessed using questionnaires. The data were input into SPSS-۲۲ software and analyzed using ANOVA, T-test, Chi-square statistical tests and multiple linear regression. A significance level of p < ۰.۰۵ was applied to all tests. Results: Participants had a mean age of ۲۴.۶۹ ± ۲.۴۳ years, and the majority (۷۹.۹%) exhibited a positive attitude towards childbearing, particularly in the physical-identity subscale. Results from multiple linear regression analysis predicting childbearing revealed that only religious orientation (B=۰.۲۵۷, P<۰.۰۰۱) was a significant predictor. As religious orientation strengthens, the attitude towards childbearing also becomes more positive. Conclusion: The findings of the present study reveal a direct relationship between religious orientation and college students' attitudes towards childbearing. A stronger sense of religiosity corresponds to a more positive attitude towards childbearing.

کلیدواژه ها:

Religious orientation ، Childbearing ، Attitude ، Medical college students.