Male Experience and Sociodemographic Characteristics of Premarital Pregnancy: Based on a Nationwide Population-Based Survey Among Urban and Rural Chinese Youths

Abstract

Little is known about the male experience of premarital pregnancy (MEPP) and the sociodemographic characteristics of unmarried male youths involved in pregnancy. This study estimates the prevalence of MEPP and identifies the sociodemographic factors associated with it among Chinese unmarried youths aged 15-24 years, using data from the Survey of Youth Access to Reproductive Health in China. Descriptive analyses and χ² tests were applied to explore the number and prevalence of MEPP, and logistic regressions were used to identify the associated factors. As a result, among 2,853 sexually experienced male youths, 597 individuals reported 852 partner pregnancies caused by them during their lifetime, with a weighted prevalence rate of 20.87% (95% CI [18.85%, 22.88%]). Among these pregnancies, 78.05% ended in induced abortion. Factors like living with only the father (OR: 4.16, 95% CI [2.22, 7.8]) and the low level of education of the father (junior high school or below, OR: 1.60, 95% CI [1.04, 2.46]) were associated with MEPP among unmarried male youth. Furthermore, there is a marked difference between the rural and urban youth in factors associated with MEPP. The findings in this study highlight the importance of and need for strategies and interventions targeting male youths, in order to improve sexual education and reproductive services.

Keywords: China; male youth; pregnancy; sociodemographic characteristics.

Figure 1.

Flowchart of the study samples.