Fertility intentions among couples in Shanghai under COVID‐19: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate fertility intensions among couples in Shanghai under the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic against the backdrop of persistently low fertility. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using data from studies conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected regarding sociodemographic characteristics, history of reproduction and gynecology, fertility intention before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, female psychological state, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily life. Results: Under the influence of COVID-19, 296/447 (66.2%) participants did not change their original fertility intention to have children, while 151/447 (33.8%) of participants were affected by the outbreak. Participants who believed in government and hospital control policies were less likely to change their intention to become pregnant (P < 10-3 , P < 10-3). In contrast, concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on female and fetal health led participants to cancel their original pregnancy plans (P < 10 −3). Conclusion: Three in ten couples of childbearing age, who originally expressed their intention of becoming pregnant, canceled their pregnancy plans after the COVID-19 outbreak. The COVID-19 outbreak has brought new challenges to people's physical and mental health. Effective policies and measures can help to improve people's fertility intentions with respect to having children.

Factors Associated With Changes in Pregnancy Intention Among Women Who Were Mothers of Young Children in New York City Following the COVID-19 Outbreak

“…2 Since then, surveys conducted in Europe, in Shanghai, and by the Guttmacher Institute in the US have reported that, in high-income countries, people's pregnancy intentions have shifted, with 30% to 80% of those who reported an intention to become pregnant within the next year before the COVID-19 outbreak postponing or abandoning their plans. [3][4][5][6] Recent data suggest that, although the number of births was already decreasing in the US, the decrease between December 2019 and December 2020 was 26% greater than the average year-over-year decrease across the prior 4 months. 7 COVID-19-related changes in pregnancy intentions have the potential to accelerate the steady decrease in fertility rates seen since the mid-1900s in almost all regions of the world.…”

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on reproductive intentions among the Polish population

“…Previous studies have shown that Polish people had been worried about the COVID-19 pandemic and that fear of the virus spreading is a significant predictor of emotional distress [10,11]. Our study shows that, concerns related to the pandemic are also having an overall impact on Polish people's reproductive plans.…”

“…Even though, the survey from Italy revealed similar observations [12], this may not be a global trend. The study that was performed to evaluate reproductive intentions among couples in Shanghai under the COVID-19 pandemic, revealed that the decrease in income did not significantly affect the reproductive intention [11]. Interestingly, the pandemic has had a positive impact on emotional relationships between partners due to the overall increase in emotional intimacy, sensitivity and mutual support.…”

The Role of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Childbearing Intentions in Iranian Women: A Path Analysis

“…In another study, Yassa et al reported an increase in anxiety and concern about pregnancy and childbearing during the COVID-19 pandemic [29]. Nonetheless, in the study by Zhu et al, childbearing desire had not changed compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic in 66.2% of the participants and none of the couples had any anxiety about this pandemic [30]. Consequently, the present study used the TPB as a model for path analysis to investigate the role of the COVID-19 pandemic in the childbearing intentions of Iranian couples using anxiety about COVID-19 as the mediating variable.…”