title: Patterns of sexual behaviors among unmarried adolescents and youth in three Asian cities.
abstract: We examined patterns of sexual behaviors of unmarried adolescents and youth (UAY) in three Asian cities (Shanghai, Taipei, and Hanoi) and identified factors related to the timing of initial sexual experience. From analysis of a sample of 16,554 UAY aged 15-24 years recruited from Shanghai, Taipei, and Hanoi plus data collected from face-to-face interviews complemented by computer-assisted self-interviews for intimate questions, we learned: UAY in Shanghai, Taipei, and Hanoi have different sexual behaviors. Affluent economic status increases the likelihood of early initial sexual experiences. Higher educational attainment may delay initial intercourse. Compared with Shanghai UAY, study participants from Taipei and Hanoi were 3.64 times and 0.33 times as likely to participate intercourse. These data can provide a basis for developing effective government policies and social interventions.
authors.affiliation: Pudong New Area Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Shanghai, 200136, China.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: The Department of Epidemiology and Social Science on Reproductive Health, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai, 200032, China.
authors.forename: Ersheng
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Pudong New Area Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Shanghai, 200136, China.
authors.forename: Qiao
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: The Department of Epidemiology and Social Science on Reproductive Health, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai, 200032, China.
authors.forename: Chaohua
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Research Unit, Centre for primary care and public health, Queen Mary, University of London, London, WC1E 7HU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Elaine Y L
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: The Department of Epidemiology and Social Science on Reproductive Health, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai, 200032, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Bill and Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health Research, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Laurie S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Zabin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001208:Asia; D002947:Cities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012847:Single Person / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult