Reproduction, risk and reality: family planning and reproductive health in northern Vietnam.

ABSTRACT

In collaboration with the National Committee for Population and Family Planning, a study was conducted in 1994 in two Vietnamese communes to provide community level information on women's reproductive health and behaviors. A survey of 504 rural and 523 urban women collected five-year histories of reproduction, contraception, abortion and symptoms of Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI). This analysis focuses on the relationships between women's individual characteristics, use of family planning and abortion, and reported RTI symptoms. The findings reveal that IUDs do not raise women's likelihood of experiencing RTI symptoms in either commune. A recent abortion, however, strongly increases women's likelihood of having RTI symptoms in the rural commune, while low-socioeconomic status is associated with RTI symptoms in the urban commune.

ABSTRACT

PIP The reproductive health of Vietnamese women was assessed in a 1994 survey of 504 rural and 523 urban women from two communes (Hai Hung and Ha Bac Provinces). The survey, conducted in collaboration with the National Committee for Population and Family Planning, collected 5-year histories of reproduction, contraceptive use, abortion, and reproductive tract infection (RTI) symptoms. Of particular interest were possible RTI risks associated with IUD use and induced abortion, both of which are widespread in Viet Nam. At the time of the survey, 24.9% of urban and 16.5% of rural respondents were using the IUD and 51.2% of urban and 35.1% of rural women had undergone at least one pregnancy termination. 22.8% of urban and 31.5% of rural women reported menstrual problems. 13.2% of urban and 22.8% of rural respondents reported three or more symptoms suggestive of RTI. The most common RTI symptom was heavy white discharge, reported by 38.2% of urban and 46.4% of rural women. Multivariate analysis identified abortion in the last 6 months (rural women) and few household assets as the only significant predictors of RTI symptoms. IUD use did not increase RTI symptoms in either study group. Behaviors that place women at risk of sexually transmitted RTIs were not investigated. These findings indicate a need to improve the quality of abortion care in Viet Nam.