Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Childbearing decisions and related factors in the COVID‑19 pandemic: A narrative review study

Authors

. Faranak Safdari – Dehcheshmeh 1
. Mahnaz Noroozi 2
. Soraya Memar 3
. Fariba Taleghani 4

1 Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

2 Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Department of Social Sciences, Isfahan University, Isfahan, Iran

4 Department of Adult Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract
The COVID‑19 pandemic has had considerable consequences in many areas of life, including the
social area and childbearing plans. The present narrative review aimed to examine the childbearing
decisions and its related factors during the COVID‑19 pandemic. This review was conducted by
searching in scientific databases, including Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus,
Cochrane, PubMed, ProQuest, Scientific Information Database (SID), Iranian Research Institute
for Information Science and Technology (IranDoc) and Iranian Journal Database (Magiran) in June
2022. The search resulted in 111 sources, of which 16 were in line with the research objective.
Couples have mainly cancelled or delayed their previous plans related to childbearing decisions.
There are two groups of direct and indirect factors related to childbearing decisions during the
COVID‑19 pandemic: The former includes (1) well‑being‑related factors such as economic conditions,
interpersonal relationships and gender roles in terms of task division; and (2) health‑related factors,
including health emergencies and physical and psychological health. The latter includes factors such
as social distancing and social media. Based on the results, governments should facilitate childbearing
by adjusting existing policies, addressing economic insecurity and protecting the livelihoods of
those affected by the crisis. Health policymakers and planners must also prioritize women’s access
to reproductive health services in a safe environment while promoting equity in access. It is also
necessary to promote the quality and quantity of indirect care and virtual counseling based on the
needs of women in crisis.

Keywords

COVID ‑19
decision making
fertility
reproductive behavior
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Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Volume 13, Issue 2
February 2023
Pages 1-10

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