Reproductive Health Matters
Volume 9, Issue 17, 2001, Pages 118-127

Sexual behaviour and contraceptive use among unmarried, young women migrant workers in five cities in China (Article)

Zheng Z. , Zhou Y. , Zheng L. , Yang Y. , Zhao D. , Lou C. , Zhao S.
  • a Institute of Population Research, Peking University, Building 22, Muxidi, Beijing 100038, China
  • b Institute of Population Research, Peking University, Building 22, Muxidi, Beijing 100038, China
  • c Institute of Population Research, Peking University, Building 22, Muxidi, Beijing 100038, China
  • d Institute of Population Research, Peking University, Building 22, Muxidi, Beijing 100038, China
  • e Institute of Population Research, Peking University, Building 22, Muxidi, Beijing 100038, China
  • f Institute of Population Research, Peking University, Building 22, Muxidi, Beijing 100038, China
  • g Institute of Population Research, Peking University, Building 22, Muxidi, Beijing 100038, China

Abstract

This paper reports the results of exploratory research on reproductive and sexual health knowledge and sexual behaviour of young, unmarried women who migrate to cities from rural areas for work, and their access to and needs in relation to family planning in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Guiyang and Taiyuan, in China. Focus group discussions were conducted with 146 young women aged 16-25 and 58 in-depth interviews with key informants. Some of the young female migrant workers were sexually active and living with their boyfriends, most of whom expected to marry each other. Most of the women lacked basic information about reproduction and contraception, and did not know where or how to obtain contraception. There were social, psychological and economic barriers to accessing services. Only a small proportion of those who were unmarried were using contraception, so induced abortion was often the outcome of unprotected premarital sex. Pleasing male partners also played an important role in unprotected sex. The training, attitudes and approach of the entire family planning service system in relation to unmarried and young people in China, including this migrant population, needs to be reorientated so as to provide them with oppropriote ond odequote services.

Author Keywords

China Migration Sexual relationships Contraception and unplanned pregnancy Marital status

Index Keywords

induced abortion Abortion, Induced China training sexual behavior psychological aspect Single Person human economic aspect social aspect priority journal Marital Status marriage migrant worker Humans attitude Adolescent female Contraception pregnancy Pregnancy, Unwanted Article major clinical study adult Reproductive Health age distribution Transients and Migrants family planning Focus Groups
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0034792679&doi=10.1016%2fS0968-8080%2801%2990015-1&partnerID=40&md5=c7138dc5ec0f2d9390299ca562589b4d
DOI: 10.1016/S0968-8080(01)90015-1
ISSN: 09688080
Cited by: 66
Original Language: English