Reproductive and family planning history, knowledge, and needs: a community survey of low-income women in Beijing, China.

Anne K Daltveit,Truls Østbye,Hong He

doi:10.1186/1472-6874-9-23

Abstract

BackgroundThe reproductive health status of China's low-income urban women is believed to be poor. Therefore, understanding their reproductive history and needs and improving services provision is very important. However, few studies have been done to assess reproductive health status, knowledge and needs in this low-income population. The purpose of this study is to broadly assess reproductive and family planning history, knowledge and health needs among low income urban women with an aim to informing health services interventions.Methods1642 low-income women age 18–49 from Haidian district, Beijing were selected. All were interviewed via a standardized questionnaire in 2006.ResultsMost women reported at least one pregnancy and delivery (97.7%, 98.3%). Deliveries in hospitals (97.3%) by medical personnel (98.5%) were commonplace, as was receipt of antenatal care (86.0%). Nearly half had at least one abortion, with most (56.0%) performed in district hospitals, by physicians (95.6%), and paid for out-of-pocket (64.4%). Almost all (97.4%) used contraception, typically IUDs or condoms. Reproductive knowledge was limited. Health needs emphasized by the participants included popularizing reproductive health information, being able to discuss their reproductive health concerns, free reproductive health insurance, examination and treatment.ConclusionAmong poor urban women in Beijing, antenatal care and contraceptive use were common. However, abortions were also common. Knowledge about reproductive health was limited. There is a need for better reproductive health education, free medical care and social support.

Highlights

Introduction to reproductive healthBeijing: China Population press; 1997:25-26.6
Since 1993, China has gradually implemented a system of income guarantees, which provides relief for citizens whose per capita income is under the minimum income level
Study setting Participants for this study were recruited from the Haidian district in Beijing, situated in the northwestern part of the greater urban area

Summary

Introduction

Introduction to reproductive healthBeijing: China Population press; 1997:25-26.6. Reproductive Health Response in Conflict Consortium [http://www.rhrc.org/resources/general_fieldtools/toolkit/ 55b%20pps%20sampling%20technique.doc]7. The reproductive health status of China's low-income urban women is believed to be poor. Understanding their reproductive history and needs and improving services provision is very important. The purpose of this study is to broadly assess reproductive and family planning history, knowledge and health needs among low income urban women with an aim to informing health services interventions. Between January and June 2003, more than 7.1 billion Yuan (about 855 million US dollars) was distributed to 21.8 million poor urban Chinese people with less than the minimum income level [4] Still, their access to health care, especially to hospital care, is limited because of the lack of health insurance and disposable income to pay out-of-pocket medical care costs [4]

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