Jessica D Gipson1, Corrina Moucheraud2, Kunchok Gyaltsen3, Lumo Tsering3, Tabashir Z Nobari4, Lhusham Gyal3. 1. Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA. jgipson@ucla.edu. 2. Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA. 3. Tso-Ngon (Qinghai) University Tibetan Medical College, No. 251 Ningda Road, Xining, 810000, Qinghai, People's Republic of China. 4. Department of Public Health, California State University, 800 North State College, Boulevard, KHS 131, Fullerton, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Western China has undergone substantial sociodemographic change, yet little is known about the health status of ethnic minority populations living in these areas. METHODS: We report findings from two cross-sectional surveys conducted with female Tibetan nomads living in rural areas of Western China/Eastern Tibet. We present results of descriptive analyses of data collected from reproductive-aged females who attended community health fairs in 2014 (n = 193) and 2016 (n = 298). RESULTS: On average, sexual debut preceded marriage among study participants, with fertility near replacement levels (2.7 and 2.1 in 2014 and 2016, respectively). Contraceptive use was common, and dominated by use of IUDs and female sterilization. Although over three-quarters (76%) of 2016 survey participants reported ever having at least one sexually transmitted infection (STI) symptom, there was low awareness of STIs (59%) and action to prevent STIs (21%). Younger women (< 40) were more likely to report having had had an STI symptom, as compared to older women (84% versus 71%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate feasibility of collecting data with this hard-to-reach population. Reporting of STI symptoms warrants further investigation to identify and address health conditions in this population of Tibetan nomadic women, especially amidst broader social and contextual changes that may affect the Tibetan population.
BACKGROUND: Western China has undergone substantial sociodemographic change, yet little is known about the health status of ethnic minority populations living in these areas. METHODS: We report findings from two cross-sectional surveys conducted with female Tibetan nomads living in rural areas of Western China/Eastern Tibet. We present results of descriptive analyses of data collected from reproductive-aged females who attended community health fairs in 2014 (n = 193) and 2016 (n = 298). RESULTS: On average, sexual debut preceded marriage among study participants, with fertility near replacement levels (2.7 and 2.1 in 2014 and 2016, respectively). Contraceptive use was common, and dominated by use of IUDs and female sterilization. Although over three-quarters (76%) of 2016 survey participants reported ever having at least one sexually transmitted infection (STI) symptom, there was low awareness of STIs (59%) and action to prevent STIs (21%). Younger women (< 40) were more likely to report having had had an STI symptom, as compared to older women (84% versus 71%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate feasibility of collecting data with this hard-to-reach population. Reporting of STI symptoms warrants further investigation to identify and address health conditions in this population of Tibetan nomadic women, especially amidst broader social and contextual changes that may affect the Tibetan population.
Authors: Jessica D Gipson; Kunchok Gyaltsen; Lhusham Gyal; Tsering Kyi; Andrew L Hicks; Anne R Pebley Journal: Int J Gynaecol Obstet Date: 2015-03-04 Impact factor: 3.561