An Empirical Study on the Reproductive Health Status of Chinese Female College Students and the Importance of Health Education
-
Weiwei Sun
,
Xiaolei Song
,
Xiaoxia Wang
,
Kuimei Zhang
,
Gladys Mae R. Laborde
,
Kim Kwang Cheol
,
Mei Wang
,
Wenming Cao
,
Nan Jiang
Abstract
Background: Reproductive health issues significantly impact female college students in China, yet comprehensive data on gynecological disorders and health education needs remain limited. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence, sociodemographic determinants, and health education preferences in this population.
Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted across 12 provinces from October 2024 to August 2025, including 2,318 female students recruited through stratified random sampling. Data were collected via a validated electronic questionnaire covering demographics, reproductive health status, and education participation. Statistical analyses involved descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable regression.
Results: High prevalence rates were found for dysmenorrhea (66.18%), irregular menstruation (58.07%), vaginitis (47.89%), premenstrual syndrome (42.19%), and breast disease (36.76%). Significant disparities were identified by education level, residence, and academic major. Rural students showed higher rates of dysmenorrhea (72.62% vs. 59.07%) and irregular menstruation (67.19% vs. 48.00%) than urban students. Although 49.44% had participated in health education, 28.86% had never attended. Students expressed strong preferences for STD prevention (64.32%) and sexual health education (62.25%), with online platforms being the primary information source (34.12%). Over 75% requested free consultations and regular checkups.
Conclusion: Chinese female college students face a high burden of gynecological conditions, with notable sociodemographic disparities. Targeted, digital health education initiatives addressing vulnerable subgroups are urgently needed to improve reproductive health outcomes.
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34. Åkerman E, Wängborg A, Persson M, et al (2024). Navigating menstrual stigma and norms: a qualitative study on young people’s menstrual experiences and strategies for improving menstrual health. BMC Public Health, 24 (1):3401.
35. Madamanchi D, Gangurde S, Rathod H, et al (2024). The Plight of Healthcare Providers in Managing and Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)/Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs): A Qualitative Study. Cureus, 16(8):e66162.
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39. Tang WZ, Cai QY, Huang KJ, et al (2025). The global burden of polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer from 1990 to 2021. BMC Public Health, 25 (1):1774.
40. Wijeratne D, Gibson JF, Fiander A, et al (2024). The global burden of disease due to benign gynecological conditions: A call to action. Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 164 (3):1151-1159.
2. Ali N, Abid N, Alzergany M, et al (2025). Risk Factors of Early Menopause: A Descriptive Study. LJM:190-195.
3. Alsaiari SK, Eshaghi B, Du B, et al (2025). CRISPR–Cas9 delivery strategies for the modulation of immune and non-immune cells. Nat Rev Mater, 10 (1):44-61.
4. Starrs A, Ezeh A, Sedgh G, Singh S (2024). To achieve development goals, advance sexual and reproductive health and rights. aLancet, 403 (10429):787-789.
5. WHO (2022). WHO guideline on self-care interventions for health and well-being, 2022 revision. ed. WHO.
6. Hu Z, Tang L, Chen L, Kaminga AC, Xu H (2020). Prevalence and risk factors associated with primary dysmenorrhea among Chinese female university students: a cross-sectional study. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol, 33 (1):15-22.
7. Nicola Ghatas V, Sobhy Abdelfatah Asran Abdou A, Mohamed Essa R, et al (2024). Factors Associated with Menstrual Irregularities among Female Nursing Students. Egypt J Health Care, 15 (3):913-929.
8. Devi B, Sherpa MSZ, Karki MP, Lepcha MN, Cintury MS, Chettri MN (2024). Prevalence of Dysmenorrhea and Factors Associated with its Intensity and Duration among Female Students. Educ Adm Theory Pract, 30 (3):943-955.
9. Mahalle S (2025). Wellbeing of students linked to lifestyle sleep and eating habits. IJSMPH, 1 (1):5-5.
10. Ok E (2025). Exploring the Relationship Between Health Habits, Physical Health, and Mental and Intellectual Health Among PSTU Students.
11. Zhang R, Kang D, Yang S, et al (2024). Women’s self-reported symptoms of reproductive tract infection, medical consultations, and factors influencing them in less developed regions: perimenopausal and older women in need of urgent attention. Front Public Health, 12:1401474.
12. Paddock-Hall K (2025). Navigating healthcare in higher education for students with gynecological pain: an exploratory survey. BMC Womens Health, 25 (1):334.
13. Guo C, Guo M, Fang C, Hao X (2025). College major decision making behavior of urban and rural students under cultural capital impact in China. Sci Rep, 15 (1):913.
14. Sharififard S (2024). Nutritional Access: Bridging the Urban Rural Divide in Academic Progress. In: Community, Food Insecurity, and a Global Perspective on Campus Food Pantries. Ed(s): Springer, pp. 55-79.
15. Zhuang Y, Kwang Cheol K, et al (2025). Factors Influencing Reproductive Health and Health Education Participation Among Female College Students in China. Front Public Health, 13:1627669.
16. Wei C, Cai Y, Liu J, et al (2024). Factors influencing user’s health information discernment abilities in online health communities: based on SEM and fsQCA. Front Public Health, 12:1379094.
17. Zhai S, Zhang S, Rong Y, Rong G (2025). Technology-driven support: exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on mental health in higher education. Educ Inf Technol:1-29.
18. Rossi E, Cassioli E, Cordasco VZ, et al (2025). Menstrual distress in women with eating disorders: insights from the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MEDI-Q). Arch Womens Ment Health, 28 (4):781-793.
19. Uluşahin SB, Özkutlu Ö, Kafa N, Aytar A (2025). Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. J Exerc Rehabil, 12 (1):56-67.
20. Hennigs A, Heil J, Wagner A, et al (2018). Development and psychometric validation of a shorter version of the breast cancer treatment outcome scale (BCTOS-12). Breast, 38:58-65.
21. Falk LH (2017). Organizational Improvement Readiness Assessment (OIRA) Tool Evaluation.
22. Hashemi M, Kohan S, Abdishahshahani M (2020). Reproductive health self-care for female students: Educational needs assessment, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences 2018. J Educ Health Promot, 9:17.
23. Yuan D, Li Q, Zhan N, et al (2024). Longitudinal associations of menstrual characteristics with mental health problems among Chinese girls. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 33 (8):2547-2556.
24. Liu J, Wang Y, Wu L, et al (2024). Study on the influencing factors of primary dysmenorrhea in female college students: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore), 103 (49):e40906.
25. Shaji B, Zameen F, Thankachan R (2024). Irregular menstruation in college going students. St. Teresa's College (autonomous) Ernakulam.
26. Jung H, Dan H, Cha C, Pang Y (2024). Dysmenorrhea and Occupational Factors: Korea Nurses’ Health Study. J Nurs Manag, 2024:1968522.
27. Wilson AB, Brooks WS, Edwards DN, et al (2024). Survey response rates in health sciences education research: a 10‐year meta‐analysis. Anat Sci Educ, 17 (1):11-23.
28. Cowand A, Amarsaikhan U, Ricks RF, Cash ED, Sephton SE (2024). Self-compassion is associated with improved well-being and healthier cortisol profiles in undergraduate students. Mindfulness, 15 (7):1831-1845.
29. Gellisch M, Olk B, Schäfer T, Brand-Saberi B (2024). Unraveling psychological burden: the interplay of socio-economic status, anxiety sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty, and stress in first-year medical students. BMC Med Educ, 24 (1):945.
30. Diaz-Navarro C, Armstrong R, Charnetski M, et al (2024). Global consensus statement on simulation-based practice in healthcare. Simul Healthc, 19(3): e52-e59.
31. Olaboye JA, Maha CC, Kolawole TO, Abdul S (2024). Promoting health and educational equity: Cross-disciplinary strategies for enhancing public health and educational outcomes. Int J Appl Res Soc Sci, 6 (6):1178-1193.
32. Heidenreich NL (2025) Eliminating Cervical Cancer as a Global Public Health Concern. Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Graz.
33. Kainat K (2025). Health information-seeking behaviour of South-Asian immigrant women in Finland: A socio-cultrual perspective. J Inf Sci, 01655515251359772.
34. Åkerman E, Wängborg A, Persson M, et al (2024). Navigating menstrual stigma and norms: a qualitative study on young people’s menstrual experiences and strategies for improving menstrual health. BMC Public Health, 24 (1):3401.
35. Madamanchi D, Gangurde S, Rathod H, et al (2024). The Plight of Healthcare Providers in Managing and Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)/Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs): A Qualitative Study. Cureus, 16(8):e66162.
36. Qiao C (2024) Recommendations on public health strategies for sexually transmitted infections in China. University of Pittsburgh.
37. Tohit NFM, Haque M (2024). Forbidden conversations: A comprehensive exploration of taboos in sexual and reproductive health. Cureus, 16 (8): e66723.
38. Fresnido JM, Gondraneos AMC Breaking Taboos: Exploring Young Adults’ Progressive Perspective on Sex.
39. Tang WZ, Cai QY, Huang KJ, et al (2025). The global burden of polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer from 1990 to 2021. BMC Public Health, 25 (1):1774.
40. Wijeratne D, Gibson JF, Fiander A, et al (2024). The global burden of disease due to benign gynecological conditions: A call to action. Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 164 (3):1151-1159.
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 55 No 1 (2026) | |
| Section | Original Article(s) | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v55i1.20978 | |
| Keywords | ||
| Reproductive health College students Health education Gynecological diseases China Health disparities | ||
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How to Cite
1.
Sun W, Song X, Wang X, Zhang K, R. Laborde GM, Cheol KK, Wang M, Cao W, Jiang N. An Empirical Study on the Reproductive Health Status of Chinese Female College Students and the Importance of Health Education. Iran J Public Health. 2026;55(1):123-132.
