International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics
Volume 108, Issue 2 , Pages 161-164, February 2010

A report on the reproductive health of women after the massive 2008 Wenchuan earthquake

  • Shujuan Liu

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, 17# Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, China. Tel.: +86 29 84771126.
    • ,
  • Juntao Han

      Affiliations

    • Department of Burns, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
    • ,
  • Dan Xiao

      Affiliations

    • Department of Epidemiology, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
    • ,
  • Cuiling Ma

      Affiliations

    • Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
    • ,
  • Biliang Chen

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China

Received 14 May 2009; received in revised form 12 August 2009; accepted 22 September 2009. published online 05 November 2009.

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.

Keywords: China, Fertility desire, Natural disaster, Reproductive health, Quality of sexual life

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PII: S0020-7292(09)00532-3

doi:10.1016/j.ijgo.2009.08.030

International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics
Volume 108, Issue 2 , Pages 161-164, February 2010

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