Adolescents in Vietnam: Looking beyond reproductive health

Type Journal Article - Studies in Family Planning
Title Adolescents in Vietnam: Looking beyond reproductive health
Author(s)
Volume 34
Issue 4
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2003
Page numbers 249-262
URL http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14758607
Abstract
The research that has been conducted to date on Vietnamese adolescents has focused on unprotectedand unsanctioned sexual activity and its health consequences, specifically abortion and sexuallytransmitted diseases, especially HIV. The question we pose in this article is whether this concernis warranted. Is the population community justified in limiting research on this population toearly sexual activity and HIV risk? Even if the sexual behavior of young people can be considered problematic, are there perhaps other aspects of young peoples’ lives to which more attention shouldbe devoted? The literature on adolescent sexual behavior in Vietnam is reviewed and data on premarital sex and reproductive behavior are analyzed from a 1999 survey conducted in six provinces among nearly 1,500 adolescent boys and girls aged 15–22. Descriptive data on schooling and workare included in order to put the information on sexual activity in perspective. The data analysis reveals that, at least currently, the sexual behavior of unmarried adolescents in Vietnam is no twhat jeopardizes their health and well-being.

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