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Sexual health behaviours among Pacific Island youth in Vanuatu, Tonga and the Federated States of Micronesia

2005; Wiley; Volume: 16; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1071/he05144

2201-1617

Hanisah L. Corner, Chris Rissel, Blenda E Smith, Roberto Forero, Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija, Philayrath Phongsavan, Drew Havea,

Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

Health Promotion Journal of AustraliaVolume 16, Issue 2 p. 144-150 Sexual health behaviours among Pacific Island youth in Vanuatu, Tonga and the Federated States of Micronesia H. Corner, H. CornerSearch for more papers by this authorC. Rissel, C. RisselSearch for more papers by this authorB. Smith, B. SmithSearch for more papers by this authorR. Forero, R. ForeroSearch for more papers by this authorA. Olatunbosun-Alakija, A. Olatunbosun-AlakijaSearch for more papers by this authorP. Phongsavan, P. PhongsavanSearch for more papers by this authorD. Havea, D. HaveaSearch for more papers by this authorand members of the Health Behaviour and Lifestyle of Pacific Youth Survey Collaborating Group and Core Survey Teams, and members of the Health Behaviour and Lifestyle of Pacific Youth Survey Collaborating Group and Core Survey TeamsSearch for more papers by this author H. Corner, H. CornerSearch for more papers by this authorC. Rissel, C. RisselSearch for more papers by this authorB. Smith, B. SmithSearch for more papers by this authorR. Forero, R. ForeroSearch for more papers by this authorA. Olatunbosun-Alakija, A. Olatunbosun-AlakijaSearch for more papers by this authorP. Phongsavan, P. PhongsavanSearch for more papers by this authorD. Havea, D. HaveaSearch for more papers by this authorand members of the Health Behaviour and Lifestyle of Pacific Youth Survey Collaborating Group and Core Survey Teams, and members of the Health Behaviour and Lifestyle of Pacific Youth Survey Collaborating Group and Core Survey TeamsSearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 August 2005 https://doi.org/10.1071/HE05144Citations: 1AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Issues addressed This study was conducted to describe the sexual risk behaviours of youth within the Pacific Island nations of Vanuatu, Tonga and the Federated States of Micronesia. Methods General health behaviour surveys were conducted with youth aged 15–19 years and not attending school in the three countries. A sample of 390 Ni-Vanuatu youth from the Shefa Province, 934 youth from three island provinces of Tonga and 92 youth from Pohnpei, the main island of the four island states of the Federated States of Micronesia, were interviewed in gender-specific groups. Questions were asked about sexual behaviours that may contribute to unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Results Moderate to high percentages of youth were sexually active (had a least one sexual partner) in the Pacific island nations of Vanuatu (49.7%), Tonga (35.5%) and the Federated States of Micronesia (76.1%). Young men were more likely to engage in sexually risky behaviour than young women. They were more likely to be sexually active, have had multiple sexual partners and have had sex when drunk or high. Of those sexually active, more young men than women in Vanuatu (36.1% compared with 30.6%) and Micronesia (54.2% compared with 50%) never used protection against STIs. However, of the sexually active Tongan youth, the proportion of females (61.1%) who reported never using protection against STIs was nearly double the proportion reported by Tongan males (32.2%). Conclusion A high percentage of young people not attending school in the Pacific island nations of Vanuatu, Tonga and the Federated States of Micronesia are at risk of unintended pregnancy and STIs, including HIV, because of patterns of sexual risk behaviour. So what? There are high levels of unsafe sex among youth populations of the Pacific. Culturally sensitive community intervention programs are needed to help prevent substantial increases in STIs. Citing Literature Volume16, Issue22005Pages 144-150 RelatedInformation