Reproductive Behavior Changes in the Current Iraqi Community and its Influencing Factors

Background: Regional factors influence reproductive behavior worldwide, including political instability and social, economic, and cultural factors. Recently, Iraq has been subjected to a different mix of factors that affect its people's reproductive behavior.Aim: To examine the reproductive behavior of the Iraqi community and the factors influencing it.Methods: Data were collected through several methods, including a cross-sectional survey during the year 2023, a review of the birth registry database from the Nineveh Health Directorate, and the analysis of a statistical database available from the total fertility rate of Iraq 1925-2020.Results: The findings indicate a significant shift in reproductive behavior among Iraqi people as there has been a decline in fertility rates in the last decade, followed by a slight increase in the previous 3 years. Political stability and the provision of health services significantly impact determining the number of children a family prefers. However, personal desire, war, displacement, increased living expenses, higher parental education, increased health awareness, and wife's employment could negatively influence family size (P < 0.001). Individuals aged 3544 years who are employed, have a higher educational level, and live in urban areas typically have the lowest mean number of children, with a preference for having approximately 24 children per family.Conclusion: Many modulating factors appeared to affect the reproductive behavior in the Iraqi community. Governmental planning and studies health departments should anticipate demographic shifts to mitigate potential adverse outcomes and capitalize on demographic opportunities.