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- Title
Dimensions of gender relations and reproductive health inequity perceived by female undergraduate students in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam: a qualitative exploration.
- Authors
Thanh Cong Bui; Markham, Christine M.; Ross, Michael W.; Williams, Mark L.; Beasley, R. Palmer; Ly TH Tran; Huong TH Nguyen; Thach Ngoc Le
- Abstract
Introduction: Increasing evidence indicates that gender equity has a significant influence on women's health; yet few culturally specific indicators of gender relations exist which are applicable to health. This study explores dimensions of gender relations perceived by female undergraduate students in southern Vietnamese culture, and qualitatively examines how this perceived gender inequity may influence females' sexual or reproductive health. Methods: Sixty-two female undergraduate students from two universities participated in eight focus group discussions to talk about their perspectives regarding national and local gender equity issues. Results: Although overall gender gaps in the Mekong Delta were perceived to have decreased in comparison to previous times, several specific dimensions of gender relations were emergent in students' discussions. Perceived dimensions of gender relations were comparable to theoretical structures of the Theory of Gender and Power, and to findings from several reports describing the actual inferiority of women. Allocation of housework and social paid work represented salient dimensions of labor. The most salient dimension of power related to women in positions of authority. Salient dimensions of cathexis related to son preference, women's vulnerability to blame or criticism, and double standards or expectations. Findings also suggested that gender inequity potentially influenced women's sexual and reproductive health as regards to health information seeking, gynecological care access, contraceptive use responsibility, and child bearing. Conclusion: Further investigations of the associations between gender relations and different women's sexual and reproductive health outcomes in this region are needed. It may be important to address gender relations as a distal determinant in health interventions in order to promote gender-based equity in sexual and reproductive health.
- Subjects
VIETNAM; CHILD care; CHILDBIRTH; CONTRACEPTION; CRITICISM; FOCUS groups; HEALTH services accessibility; HEALTH status indicators; INTERPERSONAL relations; LABOR mobility; EVALUATION of medical care; POWER (Social sciences); RESEARCH funding; GENDER role; WOMEN; HOUSEKEEPING; REPRODUCTIVE health; QUALITATIVE research; LABELING theory; INFORMATION-seeking behavior; UNDERGRADUATES; PSYCHOLOGICAL vulnerability
- Publication
International Journal for Equity in Health, 2012, Vol 11, Issue 1, p63
- ISSN
1475-9276
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1186/1475-9276-11-63