Sexual health and risk behaviour among East Asian adolescents in British Columbia

Abstract

Despite the large number of adolescents of East Asian origin in Canada, there is limited research on sexual health among this population. A first step to develop strategies for sexual health promotion for adolescents is to document the prevalence of sexual behaviours. This study thus estimated the prevalence of sexual health and risk behaviours among East Asian adolescents in grades 7 to 12, using the province-wide, school-based 2008 British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey (unweighted N = 4,311). Less than 10% of East Asian adolescents have ever had sexual intercourse. However, most of these sexually active adolescents have engaged in risky sexual behaviours, including multiple sexual partners and non-condom use at last intercourse. In particular, nearly half of sexually active girls reported not using a condom at last intercourse. Compared to immigrant students whose primary language at home was not English, immigrant and Canadian-born students speaking English at home were more likely to experience sexual intercourse. Among students who have never had sexual intercourse, two most common reasons for sexual abstinence were not feeling ready and waiting to meet the right person. Findings suggest the need for sexual health interventions tailored to gender and sociocultural contexts in which adolescents live.

Chinese Adolescents’ Attitudes Toward Sexual Relationships and Premarital Sex

“…Currently, there is a lack of research with respect to adolescents and sex from a Taiwanese perspective. However, given the prevalence of the Asian community throughout the U.S. and European school systems, some awareness of this issue exists (Homma, Saewyc, Wong, & Zumbo, 2013).…”

“…Males show increased sexual activity by 4.3% and females by 6% during the time period from 1995 to 2007 (Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, 2010). Homma, Saewyc, Wong, and Zumbo (2013) conducted a study of 4,311 adolescents, Grades 7–12, indicating that less than 10% of East Asian adolescents had had sexual intercourse. Among those who were sexually experienced, most had engaged in high-risk sexual behaviors, including multiple sexual partners and noncondom use in the last intercourse.…”

Examining determinants of sexual behavior among indigenous adolescents in Taiwan

“…[32] Such programs can also provide life skills and endorse abstinence from alcohol and drug use. [14,15]…”

Ethnic Identity and Sexual Initiation Among East Asian Youth in Canada

“…Our independent variable of interest was a proxy variable for culture. Students were classified into four cultural exposure groups: a) immigrants speaking a heritage language at home, b) immigrants speaking English at home, c) Canadian-born speaking a heritage language at home, and d) Canadian-born speaking English at home [2]. Other variables were age and living situation (living with at least one parent versus living without parents).…”

“…In British Columbia (BC), 9-10% of East Asian adolescents have ever had sexual intercourse [2]. Over 70% of those sexually experienced adolescents reported early sexual initiation, inconsistent condom use, or multiple sexual partners.…”