Committed Relationship, Unprotected Sex
August 29, 2008
Study shows Chinese American women have fewer partners, low knowledge of HIV
A recent study has found that the age of first intercourse for college-aged Chinese and Chinese American women in Northern California was about 17, mirroring the national average age of 17.3 for women ages 18 to 44.
This population, however, has had fewer partners during the past year than the national average. About 63 percent the Chinese American group had only one partner during the past year, compared to a 2005 Durex study showing that non-Asian Americans averaged more than 10 partners during the past year.
The study, of Chinese and Chinese American women ages 18 to 24 in Northern California, also revealed that these women are fairly committed: 60 percent were in a fairly committed relationship, and 40 percent has been with a partner for more than a year.
According to Sang Leng Trieu, PhD, who conducted the research as part of her doctoral dissertation at Ohlone College, the commitment level of this population may help prevent STD and HIV transmission.
“Once you decrease the number of unprotected-sex behavior and limit the number of partners, it shows what factors can prevent STDs,” Trieu said.
However, the group displayed a lower-than-average knowledge of HIV. Those in the study were graded at 83.4 percent.
“This is about a B- average, which is much lower than expected, given that we live in San Francisco,” Trieu said. A 2004 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that the average national knowledge on HIV was particularly high, with numbers varying from 91 to 99 percent.
Furthermore, only 30 percent of this population had a history of HIV testing, which is lower than other groups. The Kaiser Family Foundation found that, among young adults ages 18 to 29, 57 percent had a history of testing.
Condoms were the most common method of contraception, with 56 percent of the women in Trieu’s study using them, followed by oral contraceptives (22 percent) and withdrawal at 5 percent. But what is of the most concern is that 10 percent used no contraception.
Another study, directed by Amy Lam and conducted by the California Young Women’s Collaborative at San Francisco State University, revealed that 44 percent of college-aged Chinese and Filipino women used withdrawal as a contraceptive method. This is extremely high compared to the national average at 12 percent.
“Nationally, Asian American women have the second highest percentage of pregnancies that end in abortion at a rate of 35 percent,” Lam said. “Anecdotally, we hear that API teens who go to clinics have a history of teen pregnancy.”
The lack of contraception likely leads to the shockingly high use of the emergency contraception pill—38 percent or six times the national average—had used it in Trieu’s study.
“It shows that these women have no regular source of birth control,” Trieu said, attributing it in part to secrecy around sexual matters in Asian households. “They do not want their moms to see that they are taking birth control pills.” Fewer than 10 percent learned about birth control from their mothers.
Lack of communication with sexual partners is another worrying factor among this group. About 49 percent of participants in the Chinese American study never talked about HIV with their partners, 41 percent discussed it prior to sex and 10 percent discussed it after sex. Communicating to one’s partner about HIV can encourage condom use and begin conversation about sex history, which are crucial in HIV prevention, explains Sang.
But according to Lam, communication is not always verbal. When comparing communication patterns between White American women and Asian American women, she noticed the difference. “Verbal communication is used by White American women,” Lam said. “Asian American women used non-verbal communication, like handing a condom to their partner, putting the condom next to the bed, giving their partners a sex pamphlet.”
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10 Responses to “Committed Relationship, Unprotected Sex”
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It is important to educate those involve in such matter to protect everyone’s interest and health. I think this community may be lacking due to cultural differences.
There is a difference between a love relationship and a sexual relationship. A love relationship is when you get married and begin a family. Having an intercouse with a partner to another partner is unhealthy. In results, there will be a higher increase in abortion and more single parents will be struggling in raising their child.
Thank s for bringing this topic to our attention and to the forefront of your magazine. This is such an important matters for young people to see and think about. I’d like to see more coverage.
Thanks for reporting on this important topic. 4 times the national average in ECP usage is alarming.
Have there been any such studies on habits of Asian American men?
Congratulations on printing such an important message. A regular series on this subject would be a great means to further educate API mothers, teens and women about SID and pregnancy prevention. This is a subject that needs to be discussed regularily and openly. Education is the key!
No many studies done on this topic especially regarding Asians, great piece of work and mind opening details.
How nice to get this information to those it applies to. What a gift. Your research appears so extensive and professional. Nicely done.
This is highly insightful research study done on topics that are not traditionally spoken about by the Asian American community. More research and publicity is needed around to increase awareness and education.
This study is of the utmost importance. It is timely and informative, and will be very instrumental in providing much needed services and education. Thanks for this groundbreaking work!