title: Provider-controlled or user-dependent contraceptive methods: Levels and pattern among married women of reproductive age in China, 1988-2006.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore levels and patterns in contraceptive use since the introduction of informed choice in reproductive health services in China since 1994, and to assess the implications of reproductive health service needs among married women of reproductive age in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from Chinese nationwide surveys of family planning and reproductive health undertaken in 1988, 1997, 2001, and 2006 were analyzed to assess levels and trends in patterns of contraceptive use among married women by age, residence, and number of children. Contraceptive methods were classified into two categories: provider-controlled and user-dependent methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The provider-controlled pattern for contraceptive use was predominant regardless of whether women were free to choose their own contraceptives. Older, rural women, and those with more than one child preferred provider-controlled contraceptive methods; this trend has changed little after 1997. In contrast, the user-controlled methods were preferred by young, urban women, strikingly with no or only one child, and geographically in more affluent areas in north or southwest China.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A preference for user-dependent methods is noted in the urban areas but inclination towards provider-controlled contraceptive methods is still prevalent in rural areas in China.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Population Research/WHO Collaborating Center, Peking University, Beijing, China. Electronic address: xzheng@pku.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Xiaoying
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Institute of Population Research/WHO Collaborating Center, Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Population Research/WHO Collaborating Center, Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Lihua
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Population Research/WHO Collaborating Center, Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Institute of Population Research/WHO Collaborating Center, Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Zhenjie
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Population Research/WHO Collaborating Center, Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Lingfang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Population Research/WHO Collaborating Center, Peking University, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Qiuyuan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Research. World Health Organization. Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Moazzam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Research. World Health Organization. Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marleen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Temmerman
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Research. World Health Organization. Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jitendra
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Khanna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002681:China; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods*; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000639:trends*; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008393:Marriage; D008875:Middle Aged; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: China; Contraception; Informed choice; Reproductive health service; Women