Fertility Preferences and Desired Number of Children Among Couples Attending Premarital Counseling

AbstractBackground and Objectives: Fertility preferences and desired child numbers affect population patterns. Public health planning in Erbil City, Iraq, where traditional beliefs meet changing societal norms, requires understanding these options. This study examines fertility preferences and desired number of children among couples attending premarital counselling, focusing on sociodemographic characteristics.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was utilized, employing structured interviews with 400 couples attending Mamoun Dabagh Pre-Marriage Counselling Centre in Erbil city. A self-administered questionnaire survey was employed to collect data on socio-demographic background, participants interest, Preferences about fertility and factors influence desired number of children. Alongside descriptive data analysis, Chi-squared test was utilized to analyze associations between categorical variables.Results: Males had a significantly greater mean age (25.934.70 years) than females (22.824.07 years), with a significant difference (p < 0.001). Gender differences in employment status indicate that self-employment and casual worker being more common among males (34.3%), whereas housewifery is exclusively female (p < 0.001). Due to p-values, Occupation, number of siblings, monthly income, future housing plans, and house size are significantly associated with desired number of children. Gender, age, residence, religion, education, and family type not significantly correlate with ideal child number (all p > 0.05).Conclusion: This study found that couples' fertility desires and ideal number of children are influenced by their career context, upbringing, and economic position. Policymakers and family planning programs need to create equitable and responsive reproductive health interventions.