title: Narrowing sexual behavioural differences between Chinese and non-Chinese populations in Hong Kong: implications for sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission.
abstract: Information on sexual networking between different ethnic groups, in particular between Chinese and non-Chinese, is scarce. This study compared patterns of sexual behaviour and determinants of unsafe sexual behaviours amongst the Chinese and non-Chinese residents of Hong Kong. Of the 2,060 respondents (2060/4157; 50% response rate), 73% identified themselves as being ethnic Chinese. Overall, having a non-regular partner was more common amongst the non-Chinese (36%) than the Chinese (17%) respondents. Chinese people who were at increased risk of having had sex with a non-regular partner included social hygiene clinic attendees and airport travellers, males and ever smokers. For non-Chinese this was inconsistent condom use and being aged 18-45. Predictors of inconsistent condom use for Chinese included being aged 18-45, never having been married, and having had sex with non-regular partners; for non-Chinese the predictors were being aged 18-45, having had sex with non-regular partners and being unafraid of AIDS. We conclude that there are similarities and differences in sexual risk-taking behaviours between Chinese and non-Chinese residents in Hong Kong. To maximize potential public health benefits, behavioural interventions should be designed to address the different risk profiles of Chinese and non-Chinese populations separately.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, China. asm.abdullah@graduate.hku.hk
authors.forename: A S M
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Abdullah
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fielding
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ebrahim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000208:ethnology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000635:transmission; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000208:ethnology