Comparison of the Effects of Mediterranean Temperate and Cold Mountain Climates on Human Fertility

BACKGROUND: Owing to the emergence of some challenges in the demographic structure of many countries and possible decrease in young human workforce in the future decades, the reduction in the fertility rate has become a major public concern. This study aimed to investigate the effects of climatic factors on fertility. AIM: In this correlational study conducted during 2005–2009, the relationship between climatic factors (monthly average temperature, air pressure, rainfall, and humidity) and monthly fertility in women living in areas with two different climates was investigated. METHODS: The study regions included two cities of Iran: Behshahr and Hamedan having temperate Mediterranean climate and cold mountain climate, respectively. The means and standard deviations of the investigated variables were computed and reported. Furthermore, Pearson correlation coefficients and linear regression were also employed. RESULTS: The findings indicated that monthly fertility in women living in temperate Mediterranean climate was related to temperature (r = −0.340, p = 0.008), air pressure (r = −0.502, p = 0.002), and rainfall (r = 0.319, p = 0.013), whereas this relationship was not found in women living in cold mountain climate. Furthermore, fecundity peak was observed during autumn in both the climates. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the influences of climatic factors on fertility, it would be better if physicians pay attention to other aspects of human fertility than the clinical conditions during client evaluation.