Family Planning and Contraceptive Use in Iran, 1967-1992

Abstract

The official family planning program of Iran launched April 1967 aimed to reduce annual population growth to 1% within twenty years. Although somewhat successful the program failed to realize its rather ambitious goal. At its peak in 1977 the program served only 11% of women of reproductive age. Efforts slowed with the Islamic revolution of 1979 and ultimately came to a halt for about eight years. Rates of child survival increased during the 1980s amid generally adverse economic conditions brought on by the countrys high rates of inflation and unemployment which together increased demand for contraception and contraceptive services. Results of the 1986 census clearly pointed to the urgent need for family planning in Iran. The government therefore created in 1989 another family planning program which has been gaining political ideological and economic support ever since. The delivery of contraceptive services and supplies was resumed with the government renewing its political and financial commitment to the program and its goals with the interest support and guidance of religious leaders. Levels of contraceptive knowledge and use have increased since the start of the program. Clergy support helped make population and family planning issues of concern to all social classes. This power of Iranian religious leaders to legitimize family planning has significant implications for other Muslim countries dealing with similar population issues.