Menopause
Volume 23, Issue 10, 2016, Pages 1146-1151

Sexual and reproductive healthcare utilization among women aged 40 to 49 in rural China (Article)

Sun X. , Sun Y. , Zong Z. , Shu X. , Mao J. , Hearst N.*
  • a School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanjing Youdian University, Nanjing, China
  • b Institute for Environment and Spatial Analysis, University of North Georgia, Oakwood, GA, United States
  • c School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanjing Youdian University, Nanjing, China
  • d School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanjing Youdian University, Nanjing, China
  • e School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanjing Youdian University, Nanjing, China
  • f Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0900, United States

Abstract

Objective: China's national family planning system is mainly directed toward women of early reproductive ages. Most studies of service provision focused on younger women, who almost all receive regular examinations. Little is known about service-seeking behavior among women of late reproductive ages. Methods: This cross-sectional household survey interviewed 1,811 rural women aged 40 to 49 in seven provinces. We examined sexual and reproductive health, utilization of sexual and reproductive health services, and predictors of receiving a free gynecological examination in the past 2 years. Results: Educational levels were not high, and most women were rural farmers or housewives. More than onefourth had migrated for work to big cities when they were younger. The mean frequency of sex in the last month was 3.6 times. Approximately 22.7% of women had not received a gynecological examination and 31.2% had not received any health education during the past 2 years. The first choice for where to seek services was township medical facilities (58.4%). On multivariate regression, age, education, migrant working experience, awareness of the need for intrauterine device removal after menopause, health education received, and attitude toward health examinations were significantly associated with receiving a gynecological examination in the past 2 years. Conclusions: Women of late reproductive age in rural China are not receiving as regular care as younger women. This study identifies sociodemographic and health service correlates for service-seeking behavior, many of which are modifiable. Health services should pay greater attention to this group, including community-based efforts to encourage routine examinations and appropriate use of health services. © 2016 The North American Menopause Society. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

Author Keywords

China Menopause Service seeking sexual and reproductive health

Index Keywords

China rural area household Family Planning Services sexual behavior sexual education agricultural worker human epidemiology middle aged rural population Sex Education Cross-Sectional Studies Surveys and Questionnaires cross-sectional study Device Removal Humans female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics questionnaire women's health Article gynecological examination health care utilization awareness adult health education utilization patient attitude Reproductive Health normal human Patient Acceptance of Health Care intrauterine contraceptive device family planning attitude to health menopause housewife health survey

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84983239192&doi=10.1097%2fGME.0000000000000718&partnerID=40&md5=3e83a59e5e5b2eda59ecebb2ff16bb9c

DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000000718
ISSN: 10723714
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English