The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

Relationship between the use of virtual social networks and tendency to childbearing in the students of Ferdowsi and Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Faezeh Ghorbani 1
Nahid Golmakani 2
Mohammad Taghi Shakeri 3
1 MSc Student of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3 Professor, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
10.22038/ijogi.2016.7608
Abstract
Introduction: Since fertility is associated with economic, social and cultural factors, accurate identification of these factors is necessary. Iran is in the decline of population growth and advance in technology can have an effective role in reducing fertility rate. An example of technology is the extension of communications industry especially virtual social networks. This study was performed with aim to determine the association between the use of virtual social networks and tendency to childbearing in the students of Ferdowsi and Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 909 students of Ferdowsi and Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in 2015. Data collection tools included demographic questionnaire, the questionnaire of using virtual social networks in five dimensions and the questionnaire of tendency to childbearing. Data was analyzed using SPSS software (version 19) and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Spearman correlation coefficient. PResults: Among the aspects of social networks, the intensity of use with mean percentage of 60 was the most common. Also, significant relation was found between type of use, intensity and reactivity with tendency to childbearing (P<0.001). The rate of use and duration of membership were not significantly related to childbearing. Age, family size and level of education had a negative significant relationship with tendency to childbearing (P<0.002).
Conclusion: Fertility is more influenced by the individual characteristics such as age and family size. It seems that the use of virtual social networks have no impact on reduced tendency to childbearing.
Keywords
Childbearing
Population growth
Virtual social networks
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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 19, Issue 19
August 2016
Pages 15-24