Determinants of Male Condom Usage: With a Brief Discussion on Possible Effects of New Population Policies in Iran on Condom Usage

Abstract

Background: In spite of the fact that Iran is one of the most successful countries in family planning program yet the rate of condom usage among those, who are sexually active is low. As a result, recognizing barriers to condom usage can improve planning for condom promotion. Objectives: The main goal of this study was to examine the rate of condom usage and to determine factors influencing condom usage among couples in Shiraz city of Iran. This study also investigates the possible effects of new population policies on the rate of condom usage. Methods: The study was a quantitative survey. Data was collected by a questionnaire from 626 married females in Shiraz county (Shiraz city and rural areas), who were selected by the multi-cluster sampling method. Data analysis was done by the SPSS software (version 20). Results: Findings demonstrated that rate of condom usage in Shiraz County, particularly in rural areas, was low. However, considerable percentages of respondents were familiar with condoms yet many of them did not have enough information about it. Furthermore, results of logistic regression revealed that age, place of residence, knowledge about condoms, couple agreement on condom usage, spousal age difference, and influence of condom sexual pleasure were the main predictors of condom usage. Conclusions: The rate of male condom usage in Shiraz county compared to other countries, even some Asian countries, is very low. Condom usage is a complex issue, which is affected by a set of demographic, socioeconomic, and cultural factors. As a result, policymakers should pay greater attention to these factors in order to improve the prevalence of condom usage. Finally, Iranian policy makers should be aware that new population policy through restriction of access to family planning services is not only ineffective, but can also create new problems.

A pronatalist turn in population policies in Iran and its likely adverse impacts on reproductive rights, health and inequality: a critical narrative review

“…These policies are, however, controversial from both the ethical and health perspectives: they severely limit the reproductive rights and freedoms of Iranian women and couples and potentially exert negative impacts on reproductive health for both the mother and the child. 26 , 62 …”

“…The restriction of fetal screening, the limiting of access to contraceptives and the tightening of the already strict rules on abortion are likely to lead to an increase in the number of newborns with physical and mental disabilities. 62–64 Concerns have also been voiced about the threat of severe punishment under the criminal code for performing illegal abortions. 13 …”

“…This policy led to a sharp rise in unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions and maternal morbidity. 62 , 88–90…”

Knowledge about unintended pregnancy shortly after childbirth: An issue of ineffective counseling or adherence?

“…The impact of education in this research domain cannot be understated, as previous studies have underscored its pivotal role in mitigating the prevalence of unintended pregnancies. 45 , 46 For instance, Oulman et al 45 discovered that women with a high school education or lower had 1.71 times higher odds of unintended pregnancy compared to those with higher educational levels. Our study observed a positive association between women’s higher educational attainment and their awareness of the possibility of becoming pregnant shortly after childbirth before the resumption of the menstrual period.…”

The prevalence of unintended pregnancy and its influence on pregnancy experience in Tabriz, Iran, 2023: a cross-sectional study

“…It has also been shown that from 2015 to 2019, there were 121 million unintended pregnancies annually, resulting in 64 unintended pregnancies per 1,000 women aged 15–49 [ 3 ]. The prevalence of unintended pregnancies in Iran has been reported differently in various studies, ranging from 17% in the city of Shiraz to 27.8% in the city of Arak [ 8 , 9 ].…”