Fertility intentions among young people in the era of China’s three–child policy: a national survey of university students

Chenyun Zhang · Li Teng · Wenchang Zhang · Jia yong Xu · Na Jiang · Haridah Alias +1 more

56 citations0/0 files storedBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

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Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences Family Dynamics and Relationships Reproductive Health and Contraception

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the fertility intentions of young people after the announcement of the three-child policy in China and to determine whether knowledge about reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) services or support, childbearing- and childbirth-related anxiety, and parenthood-related anxiety influence fertility intentions. METHODS: A cross-sectional Internet-based survey was conducted on a nationwide sample of young people aged 18 to 28 years old in education institutions. Factors associated with fertility intentions were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). RESULTS: Only 4.2% of males and 1.7% of females intended to have three children or more. On the whole, the majority (40.3%) reported the intention to have two children. The mean and standard deviation (SD) for the total knowledge RMNCH support and/or services knowledge score was 9.5 (SD ± 8.9), out of a possible score of 39. The median and interquartile range (IQR) of childbearing- and childbirth-related anxiety score was 8.0 (IQR = 6.0-9.0), out of a possible score of 10. The median and IQR of parenthood-related anxiety score among the males was 6.0 (IQR = 4.0-9.0) and for females was 7.0 (IQR = 5.0-9.0). Results from PLS-SEM revealed that a higher level of knowledge of RMNCH support and/or services is significantly associated with higher fertility intentions. Both childbearing- and childbirth-related anxiety and parenthood-related anxiety were inversely associated with fertility intentions. CONCLUSION: Raising awareness about RMNCH supportive measures and easing birth- and parenting anxiety are imperative to enhance birth rates. Future policies should pay more attention to these determinants to achieve their intended goal of boosting population growth.

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References

2012Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling 1998Modern Methods for Business Research 2011The theory of planned behaviour: Reactions and reflections 2016The effects of China's universal two-child policy 2013The Impact of Family Policies on Fertility Trends in Developed Countries 2010East Asian Childbearing Patterns and Policy Developments 2013Educational differences in fertility desires, intentions and behaviour: A life course perspective 2012REFEREED ARTICLES - Differences between fertility desires and intentions: implications for theory, research and policy

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