Do family values and reproductive health knowledge influence reproductive health-promoting behaviors in married women? A cross-sectional survey.

Purpose: Based on the World Health Organization framework on reproductive health, this descriptive correlational study investigated the factors affecting reproductive health-promoting behaviors ofmarried women, with a focus on family values and reproductive health knowledge.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 170 married women between the ages of 25and 49 years living in Daegu, Korea. The general and reproductive health characteristics, family values, and reproductive health knowledge of married women were identified, as well as factors affecting reproductive health-promoting behaviors. A questionnaire survey was administered to investigate the impact of various factors on reproductive health-promoting behaviors.

Results: Positive correlations were shown for family values (r=.78, p<.001) and reproductive healthknowledge (r=.55, p<.001). Family values (β=.35, p<.001) and reproductive health knowledge(β=.24, p<.001) were identified as factors influencing reproductive health-promoting behaviors. According to the regression model, the explanatory power of factors affecting reproductive health-promoting behaviors among married women was 51.2%.

Conclusion: A history of reproductive diseases, family values, and reproductive health knowledgewere identified as factors influencing reproductive health-promoting behaviors. These results willprovide basic data for the development of a reproductive health-promoting program, including apositive approach to reproductive health among married women, and will serve as a basis for furtherresearch on intervention strategies.