Determinants of Fertility Patterns in Zahedan, Southeast Iran, 2015

[Background]Fertility pattern is influenced by economic, social, cultural, and environmental factors. Sistan and Balouchestan province has the highest household size and total fertility rate in Iran. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the fertility pattern and determinants of the desired number of children among rural and urban women in Zahedan, Sistan and Balouchestan province, Iran in 2015.[Methods]In this cross sectional study, 160 urban and rural couples were evaluated in Zahedan. The data collection tool was a questionnaire, including demographic information, fertility pattern, and family planning details. Chi square, independent t test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the data. Binary logistic regression test was used to determine the association of different variables with the desired number of children.[Results]Coverage of family planning programs was significantly lower for rural women, compared to their urban counterparts. In addition, the percentage of unsafe delivery was higher in rural women. The mean desired number of children was 3.18 ± 1.7 for urban and rural women and 3.56 ± 1.19 for their partners. As the binary logistic regression analysis showed, preference for a male child and Balouch ethnicity were significant predictors of the desired number of children for women and their partners (P < 0.05).[Conclusions]Fertility pattern and determinants of reproductive performance can vary in different populations. Sistan and Balouchestan province has the lowest coverage of reproductive health programs and a high unsafe delivery rate. Therefore, reproductive and pregnancy health programs should be supplemented, parallel to policies concerning population growth.