Volume 32, Issue 2 (8-2026)
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Ghayyemkar R, Iranpour S, Akhavan Akbari P, Shahbazzadegan S. Factors affecting the unbalanced sex ratio at birth in Ardabil: A cross-sectional hospital-based study. H 2026; 32 (2) :122-135
URL: http://hayat.tums.ac.ir/article-1-5824-en.html
URL: http://hayat.tums.ac.ir/article-1-5824-en.html
1- Students Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
2- Clinical Research Development Unit, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
3- Dept. of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
4- Dept. of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran ,samirashahbazzadegan2000@yahoo.com
2- Clinical Research Development Unit, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
3- Dept. of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
4- Dept. of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran ,
Abstract: (491 Views)
Background & Aim: An unbalanced sex ratio at birth is a pressing developmental concern and exacerbates the population decline crisis. Given the abnormal increase in the sex ratio at birth in Ardabil (115 boys per 100 girls), this study aimed to determine the factors affecting the unbalanced sex ratio at birth in Ardabil.
Methods & Materials: In this retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study, data from live births during the second half of the Iranian calendar year 2024 at Alavi Hospital in Ardabil (2316 births) were extracted from hospital records using a researcher-made checklist. The association between the collected variables and infant sex was analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis with SPSS version 26.
Results: During the study period, 2316 live births occurred, of which 1239 were male and 1077 were female, yielding a sex ratio at birth of 115 boys per 100 girls. The mean maternal age was 29.61±7.44 years for male births and 28.83±7.44 years for female births, and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.013). The sex ratio among users of assisted reproductive techniques was 153 boys per 100 girls, compared to 113 boys per 100 girls among those with natural pregnancies (P<0.001). The sex ratio at birth was higher among women with lower education, urban residents, and mothers with underlying diseases (P<0.05).
Conclusion: In the present study, the sex ratio at birth increased with increasing maternal age, use of assisted reproductive techniques, multiple pregnancies, and maternal illness. These factors may account for the elevated sex ratio at birth in Ardabil. A high sex ratio at birth can exacerbate population decline; therefore, special attention is required to prevent this situation.
Methods & Materials: In this retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study, data from live births during the second half of the Iranian calendar year 2024 at Alavi Hospital in Ardabil (2316 births) were extracted from hospital records using a researcher-made checklist. The association between the collected variables and infant sex was analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis with SPSS version 26.
Results: During the study period, 2316 live births occurred, of which 1239 were male and 1077 were female, yielding a sex ratio at birth of 115 boys per 100 girls. The mean maternal age was 29.61±7.44 years for male births and 28.83±7.44 years for female births, and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.013). The sex ratio among users of assisted reproductive techniques was 153 boys per 100 girls, compared to 113 boys per 100 girls among those with natural pregnancies (P<0.001). The sex ratio at birth was higher among women with lower education, urban residents, and mothers with underlying diseases (P<0.05).
Conclusion: In the present study, the sex ratio at birth increased with increasing maternal age, use of assisted reproductive techniques, multiple pregnancies, and maternal illness. These factors may account for the elevated sex ratio at birth in Ardabil. A high sex ratio at birth can exacerbate population decline; therefore, special attention is required to prevent this situation.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Nursing Care
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