Access to contraceptive services among unmarried young people in the north-east of China.
OBJECTIVE
The concerns about the potential threats of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have increased, since, in China, there is a lack of sexual education and condom use is rare. A community-based survey was conducted in September 2001 in Changchun city among 1227 unmarried young people aged 15-24 years (619 males and 608 females) to assess risky sexual practices and the obstacles to accessing appropriate contraceptive and other services.


METHODS
The study comprised a survey employing self-administered questionnaires, as well as key informant interviews, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. This paper investigates the factors associated with young people's access to contraceptive services.


RESULTS
Results showed that 16% of young people had experienced premarital sexual intercourse and, among them, only 48.2% used contraceptive methods during the first sexual intercourse; 29.9% used a condom. Drug stores were the main source of contraceptives.


CONCLUSIONS
While data are sparse, findings suggest that the hostile and judgmental attitudes of providers, as well as the lack of counseling and privacy, were the key obstacles that unmarried youth encountered in their search for contraceptive services. Findings suggest the need for a reorientation of the contraceptive services to focus on unmarried youth, and generally to make contraceptive services more accessible to young people.
Zhang
L Y
LY
Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Thailand.
Jejeebhoy
S
S
Shah
I H
IH
Zhang
L H
LH
Hsia
J
J
Im-em
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003270:Contraceptive Agents / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D003270:Contraceptive Agents