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A report on the reproductive health of women after the massive 2008 Wenchuan earthquake
Author(s) -
Liu Shujuan,
Han Juntao,
Xiao Dan,
Ma Cuiling,
Chen Biliang
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2009.08.030
Subject(s) - medicine , reproductive health , menstruation , pregnancy , fertility , gynecology , population , obstetrics , public health , sexual life , female circumcision , demography , environmental health , nursing , sociology , biology , genetics
Abstract Objective To evaluate the reproductive health of women in the aftermath of the 2008 Richter scale 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake in China. Methods Gynecologists surveyed 170 women using a questionnaire inquiring about symptoms of reproductive tract infection, menstruation disorders, satisfaction with sexual life, and desire for fertility. Results The rates of symptoms of lower genital tract infection were higher after than before the earthquake (50.0% vs 26.5%), as were the rates for pelvic inflammatory disease (35.9% vs 19.4%) and menstruation disorders (51.8% vs 22.4%) ( P < 0.05 for all). At the same time, the women's satisfaction with their sexual life was markedly decreased; 89.4% of them said they would not pursue a plan to become pregnant; and 67.1% said they would request pregnancy termination if they became pregnant. Conclusion The findings of this first population‐based assessment of reproductive health following the massive Wenchuan earthquake may help in shaping public health measures benefiting women surviving large‐sale disasters.