Background: Recently, the relevance of social interactions as
determinants of behavioral intentions has been increasingly perceived,
but there is a lack of knowledge on how and why it interacts with
couples’ fertility intentions. Objective: This qualitative study
was conducted to explore the influence of social network on
couples’ intention to have their first child in urban society of
Mashhad, Iran in 2011. Materials and Methods: In this exploratory
qualitative study in-depth interviews were conducted with 24
participants including 14 fertile women, two parents, three husbands
and five midwives and health care providers. The sample was selected
purposively in urban health centers, homes and workplaces until data
saturation was achieved. Data analysis was carried out adopting
conventional content analysis approach through giving analytical codes
and identification of categories using MAXqda software. Study rigor
verified via prolonged engagement, validation of codes through member
check and peer debriefing. Results: Findings from data analysis
demonstrated four major categories about social network’s
influence on couples’ intention to have their first child
including 1) perception of fertility relevant social network, 2)
occurrence of various types of social influence 3) subjective judgment
to the benefits of social network and its fitness to personal life, and
4) couples’ interaction with social network. Conclusion: Managing
the fertility behaviors need to include the consideration of personal
social networks surrounding the couples. It is important to apply the
study findings in providing family planning services and dissemination
of appropriate fertility behaviors through community-based reproductive
health care delivery system
