title: Social support for women of reproductive age and its predictors: a population-based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Social support is an exchange of resources between at least two individuals perceived by the provider or recipient to be intended to promote the health of the recipient. Social support is a major determinant of health. The objective of this study was to determine the perceived social support and its associated sociodemographic factors among women of reproductive age.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a population-based cross-sectional study with multistage random cluster sampling of 1359 women of reproductive age. Data were collected using questionnaires on sociodemographic factors and perceived social support (PRQ85-Part 2). The relationship between the dependent variable (perceived social support) and the independent variables (sociodemographic characteristics) was analyzed using the multivariable linear regression model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean score of social support was 134.3 ± 17.9. Women scored highest in the "worth" dimension and lowest in the "social integration" dimension. Multivariable linear regression analysis indicated that the variables of education, spouse's occupation, Sufficiency of income for expenses and primary support source were significantly related to the perceived social support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sociodemographic factors affect social support and could be considered in planning interventions to improve social support for Iranian women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Azam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baheiraei
authors.forename: Mojgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mirghafourvand
authors.forename: Eesa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
authors.forename: Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Charandabi
authors.forename: Saharnaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nedjat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D008393:Marriage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D012098:Reproduction; D012923:Social Class; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018454:Spouses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult