design and evaluation of a multi-theory model-based intervention to promote childbearing intentions among iranian single-child women: a mixed-methods protocol

Background: the total fertility rate (tfr) has dropped to below the replacement levels in numerous countries, which necessitates new educational approaches and behavioral models to encourage a more positive societal view of childbearing. the present research aims to design, implement, and evaluate an intervention based on the multi-theory model (mtm) aiming at boosting childbearing intentions among iranian single-child women of reproductive age.methods: this mixed-methods study, designed in three phases, will first explore childbearing intentions qualitatively through in-depth interviews, with the resulting data analyzed using a directed content analysis based on the mtm. second, the themes identified from this phase will then be used to develop and psychometrically validate a new measurement tool. third, a field trial will be conducted to implement and evaluate an mtm-based educational intervention. data will be collected with the validated tool both pre- and post-intervention, with follow-ups at three, six, and nine months to assess pregnancy outcomes. the effectiveness of the program and participant feedback will be analyzed via descriptive statistics, paired t-tests for within-group comparisons, and repeated measures analysis of variance (anova) for between-group differences over time. all statistical analyses will be performed using spss version 22.conclusion: this study represents the first known application of the mtm to investigate childbearing intentions among single-child women. developing and assessing a culturally-adapted intervention has the potential to boost individuals’ childbearing intentions and generate evidence for guiding reproductive health policies in settings experiencing a decline in fertility.