Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Socio-Cultural Correlates of Iranian Married Women’s Approval of Induced Abortion: A Cross-Sectional Study

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Nouzar Nakhaee 1
abedin Iranpour 2

1 Health Services Management Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.

2 Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center Institute for Futures Studies in Health Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Abstract
Introduction: Abortion is a key demographic factor influencing population size and structure. This study examined approval of induced abortion among married women in Iran and identified its associated socio-cultural determinants.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1,446 married women aged 18–49 years who attended hospitals in Kerman, Iran, in 2022. Participants were recruited through consecutive sampling and completed a validated questionnaire during face-to-face interviews. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with approval of induced abortion.
Results: The majority of participants (n=1223; 84.6%) disapproved of induced abortion. The mean (SD) attitude score of participants toward childbearing was 3.45 (0.79) on a 5-point scale. Approval of induced abortion was significantly higher among women who were younger (AOR=1.67; 95% CI: 1.21, 2.30), had higher educational attainment (AOR=2.07; 95% CI: 1.24, 3.45), used female contraceptive methods (AOR=2.43; 95% CI: 1.59 – 3.72), or reported depressive symptoms (AOR=1.48; 95% CI: 1.07 – 2.05). Conversely, approval was significantly lower among women with higher levels of religiosity (AOR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.37-0.67), and greater marital satisfaction (AOR=0.64; 95% CI: 0.46 – 0.88).
Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of developing policies and interventions that address the social, psychological, and reproductive-health concerns of women who approve of induced abortion.

Highlights

Nouzar Nakhaee (Google Scholar) (PubMed) 

Abedin Iranpour (Google Scholar) (PubMed) 

Keywords

Abortion, Induced
Pregnancy Reduction
Abortion attitudes, Reproductive behavior, Fertility preferences, Married women
Subjects
Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 06 September 2026

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