Explaining barriers to childbearing using the risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) strategy: Based on action research

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Reluctance to childbearing and then the reduction of the total fertility rate are common experiences of developed countries and many developing countries, including Iran, therefore, the purpose of this study was explaining barriers to childbearing using the risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) strategy. METHODS: The study was conducted by action research and according to RCCE during 9 months in Ardabil city. The statistical population consisted of 41 married women aged 15–54 who were eligible for childbearing, these women were purposefully selected from among the people covered by Ardabil health centers and interviewed. Data were collected using open and in‐depth interviews by the researcher and analyzed by content analysis. RESULTS: The results of data analysis led to the extraction of three main categories, personal, familial, and social barriers. The “personal barriers” category was classified into three subcategories, namely mental, belief, and awareness barriers, the “familial barriers” category was classified into two subcategories, namely social and financial barriers, and the “social barriers” category was classified into two subcategories, political and managerial barriers. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, a set of personal, familial, and social factors could affect childbearing among married women. Identification of these factors can play an effective role in designing educational and managerial programs.