Students of the Bjelovar University of Applied Sciences students’ plans to get married, have biological children and emigrate for work

Abstract

One of the major challenges for paediatricians in Croatia is a reduced number of infants and small children in health care, primarily as a result of low birth rate and emigration of parents with children. The aim of the study was to investigate the plans to get married, have children and emigrate from Croatia in order to identify the key factors determining these intentions so as to be able to infl uence them. Online survey was conducted with students of the Polytechnic in Bjelovar. The authors measured sociodemographic data, intentions of marriage, childbirth and leaving the country. Descriptive data were presented and χ2-test was used to examine diff erences in the impact the factors may have had on the variables of interest. The eff ect of variables that were signifi cantly associated with these intentions was examined by the models of binomial and multinomial logistic regression. Positive action on the issue could not be achieved by the work of primary health care paediatrician only. It is necessary to work in the community, including work with expectant mothers, help and support for breastfeeding, taking care of children’s health, promoting parenting and strengthening parenting skills. In the Bjelovar- Bilogora area, these activities are carried out through Children’s Counselling Centres - Breastfeeding Friends, Pregnancy Courses, Breastfeeding Support Groups, Pharmacist’s Breastfeeding Friends, Kindergarten and Library of Breastfeeding Friends, Beauty of Motherhood, Family Fun Games - Our Little Sun, Let’s Grow Together, Baby Fitness, etc. Key words: STUDENTS; MARRIAGE; EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRIATION; CROATIA