Chunyu Li1, Hae-Ra Han2, Jong-Eun Lee3, Myungken Lee4, Youngja Lee5, Miyong T Kim6. 1. Professor, Division of Community, School of Nursing, Yanbian University, Jilin, China. 2. Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA. 3. Full-time Instructor, College of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. 4. Associate Professor, School of Public of Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA. 5. Researcher, College of Nursing, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. 6. Professor, School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence, knowledge and behavior about reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among rural Chinese women in Hunchun, China. METHODS: The study employed a cross-sectional research design with a convenience sample of 190 participants who had received microfinancing. Data were collected by trained research staff, utilizing face to face interviews and physical examinations. RESULTS: About 1 in 5 participants (20.3%) had had more than 5 pregnancies and 26.7% had had 3 or more abortions. More than half (57.3%) of study participants had an RTI at the time of examination, and 92.3% reported having had at least one RTI symptom. Nearly half (49.6%) of the women who exhibited RTI symptoms reported no utilization of any healthcare services. Age, number of pregnancies, RTI knowledge, and behavior were found to be significant correlates in the sample. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of RTI among low-income rural Chinese women were extremely high, indicating the urgent need for effective and culturally sensitive health education, particularly targeted to the poor rural population.
PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence, knowledge and behavior about reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among rural Chinese women in Hunchun, China. METHODS: The study employed a cross-sectional research design with a convenience sample of 190 participants who had received microfinancing. Data were collected by trained research staff, utilizing face to face interviews and physical examinations. RESULTS: About 1 in 5 participants (20.3%) had had more than 5 pregnancies and 26.7% had had 3 or more abortions. More than half (57.3%) of study participants had an RTI at the time of examination, and 92.3% reported having had at least one RTI symptom. Nearly half (49.6%) of the women who exhibited RTI symptoms reported no utilization of any healthcare services. Age, number of pregnancies, RTI knowledge, and behavior were found to be significant correlates in the sample. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of RTI among low-income rural Chinese women were extremely high, indicating the urgent need for effective and culturally sensitive health education, particularly targeted to the poor rural population.