Determinants of unmet need for contraception among Chinese migrants: a worksite-based survey
Decat, P.; Zhang, W.-H.; Moyer, E.; Cheng, Y.; Wang, Z.-J.; Lu, C.-Y.; Wu, S.-Z.; Nadisauskiene, R.J.; Luchters, S.; Deveugele, M.; Temmerman, M.
European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care the Official Journal of the European Society of Contraception 16(1): 26-35
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1473-0782 PMID: 21158522 DOI: 10.3109/13625187.2010.536920Document Number: 215416
Considerable 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. A cross-sectional study assessed determinants of unmet need for contraception using semi-structured interviews in two cities in China: Guangzhou and Qingdao. Between July and September 2008, 4867 female rural-to-urban migrants aged 18-29 years participated in the study. Of these, 2264 were married or cohabiting. Among sexually-active women (n = 2513), 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. 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.