Family planning in the People's Republic of China: report on first official IPPF visit
Katagiri, T.; Terao, T.
Ippf Medical Bulletin 6(3): 1-3
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-0357 PMID: 12275847 Document Number: 306258
This article is a description of family planning in the People's Republic of China based on the authors' visit there in 1972. Family planning programs began in China in the late 1950's and the services are free. All birth control methods are used. Tubal ligation is performed under acupuncture anesthesia. 2 types of oral contraceptives are used. Both stainless steel and plastic IUD'S are employed._ There has been an effort to raise the average age of marriage. It is now 25 for women and 30 for men in urban areas, and 22-23 and 27-28 respectively in rural areas. Barefoot doctors and their assistants trained in simple medical techniques carry contraceptives with them for immediate distribution. They assist qualified doctors in abortions, sterilizations, and IUD insertion. They also insert IUDs themselves. The authors report on Ton Wan People's Commune where it was reported that 90% of the commune used some form of birth control. The writers also describe and give data on birth control procedures in 2 towns, Pon Pu New Village, and Shao Yun Shang. They point out that national vital statistics have not been published for a few years, and some national data available may be inaccurate. Statistics on individual communes may not be representative for the whole nation. However, it is believed that the population growth rate of China is now less than 2%, and possibly the country will achieve the goal of a 1% population growth rate set by Chou En-lai for the year 2000.