A serial surveillance for premarital health care

China Popul Res Leads. 1990 Sep 20;9:1.

Abstract

PIP: In order to evaluate the effects of premarital health care service (including premarital physical examination, sex education and family planning technical instruction), since April 1987, 530 newlywed couples were followed up on their sex life and birth control during the 1st year of their marriages. The results showed: 1) 529 couples (99.8% of the sample) had established harmonious sex life after their receiving premarital sex education; 2) within the 1 year, among 530 women, 466 conceived (333 were delivered, 76 in pregnancy, 34 had spontaneous and 23 had induced abortions). Among 409 pregnant women, 83.37% had prenatal registration before the 12th gestation week. The perinatal mortality rate for 333 births was 6.00/thousand; 3) 102 couples (19.25%) used contraceptive measures to postpone pregnancy under instruction. 88 (86.28%) of them chose condoms and/or rhythm method. Among them, 17 couples failed, 34 discontinued sooner or later, 51 persisted to use the method and were successful 1 year after their marriages; 4) 23 women had their pregnancy terminated, 20 due to illness or contraceptive failure. The rate of induced abortion was 4.34%. It is concluded that: 1) the premarital education proved to be scientific, systematical, feasible, antipornographic and helpful to new married life. It was widely acceptable; 2) the contraceptive measures selected by the newlyweds should be simple, safe and reversible. Condoms and rhythm method seemed to be the most favorable; however, meticulous, technical instruction is of great value for successful contraception; and 3) planned conception not only ensures women's health, but also promotes better birth.

MeSH terms

  • Asia
  • Asia, Eastern
  • Behavior
  • China
  • Contraception
  • Contraception Behavior*
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Demography
  • Developing Countries
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Family Planning Services
  • Fertility*
  • Health
  • Health Services
  • Health Services Needs and Demand*
  • Health Surveys*
  • Marital Status
  • Marriage*
  • Maternal Health Services
  • Maternal-Child Health Centers
  • Philosophy*
  • Population
  • Population Dynamics
  • Pregnancy*
  • Prenatal Care*
  • Primary Health Care
  • Reproduction
  • Sex Education*
  • Sexual Behavior*