{
  "abstract": "Introduction Understanding population dynamics is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Global population growth has slowed, and Iran has experienced a marked fertility decline. Given the decline in fertility rates and shifts in women’s attitudes and motivations regarding childbearing, this study aims to explore whether an artificial intelligence (AI)-based chatbot can improve attitudes and increase positive motivation towards childbearing among married women of reproductive age.Methods and analysis This parallel randomised controlled trial will be conducted on 80 childless married women who need fertility counselling according to national guidelines. Participants will be randomly allocated using permuted-block randomisation (four blocks) to either an intervention or control arm. The intervention consists of a systematic educational and counselling programme delivered via an AI-powered chatbot across 4 weekly sessions. The control arm will receive standard in-person childbearing counselling per national guidelines. Primary outcomes are attitudes and motivation towards fertility and childbearing, measured by validated questionnaires at baseline and 1-month postintervention. Analysis will use analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with group as a fixed factor and baseline scores as covariates; effect size will be reported as mean difference with 95% CIs.Ethics and dissemination The Ethics Committee of Babol University of Medical Sciences (IR.MUBABOL.HRI.REC.1404.172). The study findings will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation at scientific conferences.Trial registration number IRCT20221109056451N7.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran"
      ],
      "name": "Havva Sheikh Azami"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran"
      ],
      "name": "Fatemeh Bakouei"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran"
      ],
      "name": "Mouloud Agajani Delavar"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Salamat Rayan Company, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran"
      ],
      "name": "Raheleh Aghababanataj Jelodar"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Salamat Rayan Company, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran"
      ],
      "name": "Mir Taher Motahari Tabari"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Babol University of Medical Science, Babol, Islamic Republic of Iran"
      ],
      "name": "Hossein-Ali Nikbakht"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Impact of an artificial intelligence automated chatbot-driven educational-counselling intervention on childbearing attitudes and motivations among childless married women: study protocol for a parallel randomised controlled trial",
  "uid": "1ad1a51b-a451-5113-b3ec-a97d23051f8a"
}