ABSTRACTS
ADOLESCENTS TALKING ABOUT SEX: DOING IT BUT NOT DOING IT SAFELY
Ng CJ, Kamal SF. Bridging the gap between adolescent sexuality and HIV risk: the urban Malaysian perspective. Singapore Med J. 2006;47:482-90 [PubMed]
HIV infection is a growing problem globally. Recent Malaysian epidemiological data registered some worrying trends. Firstly, it affected a relatively young age group, between the ages of 20-29 years; and secondly, there was a rising incidence among women. In a research done by Ng CJ and Kamal SF, they explored qualitatively the practice of safe sex, especially use of condoms, among late adolescents in relation to HIV risk. They conducted 16 in-depth interviews among 16 sexually active private college students (ten females, six males) in Klang Valley in 2002.
In this study, although condom was the most popular choice, most did not use it regularly. The authors discovered some locally relevant factors which influence the practise of safe sex:
- Trust: This trusting attitude was based on the perception of their partners and relationships, which in turns influenced their decision on condom use.
- Reliance on partners: Some relied on their partners to practise safe sex, rather than openly discussing with their partners or taking a proactive role.
- Less pleasurable: For the male participants the use of condoms during sexual intercourse was felt to be less pleasurable and troublesome. The female participants were more passive when it comes to using condoms, citing their partners’ preference as the main reason for not using it.
- Complacency: Some participants (both males and females) had not put much thought into the possibility of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some were complacent because they were not pregnant or infected with HIV despite practising unprotected sex for a long time.
- Risk perception: When asked about their perception of risk of contracting STD/HIV infections, most participants felt that they were not at risk, citing having a stable, “clean” partner as the main reason.
In general practice, consultation with adolescents creates a good opportunity to discuss health issues including safe sex. By understanding their perceptions towards safe sex, we can provide more effective and targeted health education with an aim to prevent STIs and pregnancy.
Reprints request: Dr Ng Chirk Jenn. ngcj@um.edu.my