Below replacement-level fertility in Iran: progress and prospects

In 1996, four provinces of Iran experienced below replacement level fertility. Since the early 1980s, these provinces have recorded lower fertility than the national level. How and under what condition has fertility declined to such a low level in these provinces? It may be of considerable interest to examine whether these provinces can be regarded as the leaders of the fertility transition in Iran. What are the likely effects of below-replacement fertility on population growth in Iran in the short term? Will Iran, as a whole, experience below replacement fertility in the near future? What would be the reaction of the government if below-replacement level fertility is reached in the near future? This paper will first, assess and analyse the fertility trends in the provinces of Isfahan, Gilan, Semnan and Tehran as compared with the national level during the period 1972-1996. Using available data, an attempt will also be made to estimate recent fertility levels for these provinces. Second, demographic and socio-economic characteristics, as well as contraceptive use, in these provinces will be reviewed; female singulate mean age at marriage and age-specific proportions married for 1976, 1986 and 1996 will then be examined. Third, the prospects of low fertility in Iran as well as the likely reaction of the government on low fertility will be discussed thereafter

Women\u27s Human Capital and Economic Growth in the Middle East and North Africa

The process of demographic transition has increased the share of the working-age population in Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This situation has created an opportunity for economic growth, called the demographic dividend. Global comparisons show that a favorable age structure has not always resulted in a boost in economic growth. In order to take a full advantage of the MENA’s demographic dividend, it is important to identify different factors contributing to economic growth in this region. Investment in women’s human capital is expected to have important implications for the region’s economic growth and for maximizing the benefits created by the demographic dividend. Using a range of data sources, this paper aims to determine the association between women’s human capital (measured by adult educational attainment and health status) and economic growth (measured by gross national income per capita) in MENA. The findings show a positive association between these two. Specifically, the national-level income is generally higher in countries with lower maternal mortality and higher female literacy, female tertiary education, female life and healthy life expectancies at birth and professional childbirth attendance. Thus, investment in women’s human capital can accelerate the pace of development in MENA

Study Skills in Bachelor Students in the School of Public Health, Yazd, 2006

Background & Objective : One of the most important factors which prevent students from achieving their attempts’ desirable result is lack of study skills. Study skills are effective on decreasing tiredness and anxiety, saving time and increasing students’ motivation, leading to better learning and educational improvement. This study was conducted to evaluate the students’ study skills and to determine educational priorities in order to hold improving study skills classes. Methods : In this descriptive study, all bachelor students in Yazd school of public health (240 students) participated. Data was collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire. 192 questionnaires were completed and returned. Results : According to our findings, the mean (±SD) score of all 30 study skills was 20.1(±4.2). The highest mean score (±SD) which was 5.1(±1.2) belonged to taking class notes while the lowest mean score which was 2.6(±1.3) belonged to time management. Most of the students’ study skills were of moderate level (54.7 %) and 30.7% were weak whereas only 30.7% were considered good. The mean daily studying duration was 2.5 hours. There was no significant statistical relationship between study skills and age, sex, field of study, semester, doing morning or evening courses, daily studying duration, and Grade Point Average of the previous term. Conclusion : As only 30.7% of all students were considered good regarding study skills, it is suggested to hold organized and continuous educational courses to improve study skills. Defined factors in this study are time management, taking exam, concentration, reading and taking notes, in order of priority. Keywords: Study skill, Student, School of public health

An assessment of recent Iranian fertility trends using parity progression ratios

Background In 2013 a draft population bill was introduced in the Iranian Parliament. Based on the presumption that fertility in Iran had fallen to a very low level, the bill proposed a wide range of pronatalist policies with the aim of increasing fertility to 2.5 births per woman. The draft law called for restrictions on the employment of women and young single people and inducements for women to marry in their late teens. New estimates of fertility, such as those provided in this paper, cast doubt upon the view that fertility had fallen to a very low level. In May 2014 a statement issued by the Supreme Leader provided guidelines for a more moderate approach to sustaining fertility at around the replacement level. Objective To measure the trend in fertility in Iran, especially from 2000 onwards. Methods Using the 2010 IDHS, the synthetic cohort parity progression ratio method is used to measure the fertility trend in Iran. Synthetic parity progressions are compared with real cohort parity progressions to examine the presence of tempo effects. Comparison is made with age-based measures from surveys, censuses, and the birth registration system. Results This paper demonstrates that fertility in Iran was constant for the decade 2000-2009, at a level of around 1.8-2.0 births per woman. Conclusions Our findings provide evidence supporting a more moderate approach to sustaining fertility in Iran at around the replacement level. Comments The paper demonstrates the advantages of parity-based measurement over age-based measurement when tempo effects may be involved

Food Insecurity and Its Sociodemographic Correlates among Afghan Immigrants in Iran

The study determined the prevalence of food insecurity and its sociodemographic determinants among Afghan immigrants in two major cities of Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 310 adult females from immigrant Afghan households in Tehran (n=155) and Mashhad (n=155), who were recruited through multistage sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews, using a questionnaire. Food security was measured by a locally-adapted Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. More than 60% suffered from moderate-to-severe food insecurity, 37% were mildly food-insecure while about 23% were food-secure. Food insecurity was significantly more prevalent in female-headed households, households whose head and spouse had lower level of education, belonged to the Sunni sect, and those with illegal residential status, unemployment/low job status, not owning their house, low socioeconomic status (SES), and living in Mashhad. Prevalence of food insecurity was relatively high among Afghan immigrants in Iran. This calls for the need to develop community food security strategies for ensuring their short- and long-term health

Causes and Results of Eye Removal Surgery in Yazd, Iran

Introduction: Removing eyes has different indications. We surveyed the causes and results of eye removal surgery in Yazd, Iran. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the profile of 102 patients who had underwent eye removal surgery for any reason in the Shahid Sadoughi hospital during the last 10 years. The demographic characteristics, causes of enucleation, the interval between an accident and an eye surgery, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Results:  In 102 patients (males, 68.6% and females, 31.4%) most cases were laborers (21.6%).The two most common causes of eye enucleation were  trauma (60.9%) and painful blind eye (15.7%). Trauma was the most frequent cause in the age group of  ≤20 years old (78.9%) (P-value< 0.001). In 30.4% of the cases, our management was Sympathetic ophthalmia prevention. Conclusion: The first cause of eye removal surgery in our study was trauma, especially in the young men. To reduce the rate of this surgery, protective proceeding, early diagnosis, and treatment of many diseases will be useful

Family Planning Practice by Patterns of Marriage in the North of Iran

Background: The fertility experience in Iran suggests that the family planning programs had an effective role in the fertility reduction. This study aimed to specify patterns of marriage in Iran and especially in a northern city of Iran and to investigate the association between patterns of marriage and contraceptive use before first pregnancy and current contraceptive use. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, following the implementation of an expert panel in order to investigate marriage patterns, 880 women aged 15-49 yr old, were selected by multistage cluster sampling and completed the "reproductive practices" questionnaire in Babol City, northern Iran, in 2013. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS ver.16 and descriptive and analytical parameters. Results: There are three patterns of marriage in the northern part of Iran: Traditional, Mixed and Modern marriage and between different patterns there is no statistically significant difference in the contraceptive use. Conclusion: According to the lack of significant relationship between patterns of marriage and the contraceptives use, which is one of the proximate determinants of fertility, the policy makers should pay attention to other determinants of fertility in order to manage the problems and implications of population decline in the country