Determinants of unmet need for contraception among Chinese migrants: A worksite-based survey

Peter Decat, Wei Hong Zhang, Eileen Moyer, Yimin Cheng, Zhi Jin Wang, Ci Yong Lu, Shi Zhong Wu, Ruta Jolanta Nadisauskiene, Stanley Luchters, Myriam Deveugele, Marleen Temmerman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BackgroundConsiderable sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges have been reported among rural-to-urban migrants in China. Predictors thereof are urgently needed to develop targeted interventions. Study designA cross-sectional study assessed determinants of unmet need for contraception using semi-structured interviews in two cities in China: Guangzhou and Qingdao. Results Between July and September 2008, 4867 female rural-to-urban migrants aged 1829 years participated in the study. Of these, 2264 were married or cohabiting. Among sexually-active women (n2513), unmet need for contraception was reported by 36.8 and 51.2 of respondents in Qingdao and Guangzhou, respectively; it was associated with being unmarried, having no children, less schooling, poor SRH knowledge, working in non-food industry, and not being covered by health insurance. A substantial proportion of unmarried migrants reported they had sexual intercourse (16.6 in Qingdao and 21.4 in Guangzhou) contrary to current sexual standards in China. Conclusion The study emphasises the importance of improving the response to the needs of rural-to-urban migrants and recommends strategies to address the unmet need for contraception. These should enhance open communication on sexuality, increase the availability of condoms, and improve health insurance coverage.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)26-35
Number of pages10
JournalEuropean Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • China
  • Contraception behaviour
  • Family planning services
  • Health services accessibility
  • Health survey
  • Migrant workers
  • Needs assessment
  • Reproductive health
  • Rural urban migration

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