TOPIC: Prevention & Education
OTHER KEYWORDS: Asians & Pacific Islanders, Youth, High School Students
TITLE: The sexual practices of Asian and Pacific Islander high school students
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Schuster MA, Bell RM, Nakajima GA, Kanouse DE. The sexual practices of Asian and Pacific Islander high school students. J of Adolesc Health. 1998; 23 (4): 221-31.
SUMMARY
This study describes the sexual behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes of Asian and Pacific Islander California high school students and to compare them to other racial/ethnic groups. Data was collected from an anonymous self-administered survey of 2026 ninth to twelfth graders in a Los Angeles County school district; 186 of the respondents described themselves as Asian and Pacific Islander. Asian and Pacific Islander high school students in one California school district appear to be at lower sexual risk than other racial/ethnic groups. However, a large minority are engaging in activities that can transmit disease and lead to unwanted pregnancy. The research paper suggests current efforts to develop culturally sensitive clinical and community-based approaches to sexual risk prevention should include Asians and Pacific Islanders.