Use of health services by women with gynecological symptoms in rural China.
BACKGROUND
To examine the relation between demographic factors and symptom type in the use of gynecological health services in rural China.


METHODS
Married women aged 19 to 45 years from three rural communities in Anhui province, central China, were invited to participate in a structured interview in the summer of 2006. They provided information on gynecological symptoms, healthcare-seeking behaviour and socio-demographic characteristics. Risk factors were analyzed using logistic regression.


RESULTS
860/1221(70.4%) reported at least one gynecological symptom during the previous year, with 485 (39.7%) reporting three or more. Of the women with symptoms, 36.7% sought treatment during the previous year. Younger women and those with multiple symptoms were more likely than others to seek treatment. Women with abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge were more likely to delay seeking treatment. Years of education were strongly related to seeking treatment. More highly educated women and women with a higher household income were more likely than others to seek treatment at the highest level (county or city hospital) of the tertiary healthcare system rather than at a village clinic or township hospital. Women who did not seek treatment were more likely to report that they saw no need than to say that they could not afford care.


CONCLUSIONS
There may be a misperception of the need for, and utility of, treatment for gynecological symptoms, particularly in more disadvantaged women. Interventions should both address women's negative perceptions and reinforce the capacity of the local health facilities to ensure effective care.
Jiang
Zhen
Z
School of Health Service Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China.
Wang
Debin
D
Hong
Qian
Q
Cherry
Nicola
N
Cheng
Jing
J
Chai
Jing
J
Yang
Sen
S
Zhang
Xuejun
X
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult