REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN
THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Mansour Bahrami
Mehrad General Hospital, Tehran, Iran
General Information:
The population of Iran is about 65,000,000 -
51.35% of the population is under 20 years of age
39.5% of the population is under
15 years of age
4.32% of the population is
above 65 years of age
61.4% of the population lives in cities and 55%
of these people live in 23 large cities.
The average age of marriage for girls is 19.7
years and for boys is 24.4 years.
The General Fertility rate in Iran is 79.5 /
1000 including 95.7 / 1000 in villages and 69.2 / 1000 in cities.
The rate of unwanted pregnancies in cities is
26.7% while in villages is 22.4%.
The rate of population growth in Iran is 1.41%.
75% of women are educated, and females occupy
52% of the seats in universities.
It has been predicted that by the year 2020 the
population will reach to about 90,000,000.
Trained people handle almost 90% of the
deliveries.
Purified water supply is accessible for more
than 90% of the villagers and 98% of the urban people.
Family planning has been started since 1989.
Health network in Iran, which is considered as
a successful example in world, covers over 85% of the whole population, and
reproductive health is a one of the parts of these services.
43,000 females cooperate with the health
network.
750,000 students, being health co-workers
transfer hygienic suggestions to their classmates and families.
2,100 health workers live in 2000 labor health
unit providing general and reproductive health care for the labors.
In industrial sections, there are 350 maternity
health care unit and 1020 social care unit, while 220 professional experts
cooperating with them.
400 counseling centers for young couples exist,
which train them about reproductive health care.
Students in high schools, also students at
universities are obliged to take a course on population and reproductive
health care.
Counseling center for young individuals has
been accomplished since August 1992.
Their aim is to:
help them develop their
personalities
fulfill the social, physical,
psychological and emotional requirement
encourage them to lead a
healthier and happier life
There are efforts taken place in the military
services to train the soldiers about reproductive health. Men are also
encouraged to participate in family planning.