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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing
4250.0: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 - 3:15 PM

Abstract #160835

Determinants of women's autonomy over sexual behaviors within marital relationship in contemporary Vietnam

Hongyun Fu, M A1, Mai Do, DrPH2, and Lung Duy Vu, MD, MPH1. (1) Department of International Health and Development, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street; Suite 2200, New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-988-6265, hfu@tulane.edu, (2) International Health and Development, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2200, New Orleans, LA 70112

Background: Though empirical evidence is limited, anecdotes suggest that Vietnamese women tend to have limited ability to negotiate safe sex against HIV/AIDS or other adverse reproductive health outcomes. This study examines women's autonomy over sexual behaviors within marital relationship in contemporary Vietnam.

Methods: The study includes a sample of 3,854 currently-married couples from the 2005 Vietnam Population and AIDS Indicator Survey, which consists of a nationally representative sample of men and women aged between 15 and 49. Multivariate logistic regressions are performed to examine couple's acceptance to women's safe sex negotiation and women's self-efficacy in suggesting condom use.

Results: Preliminary analyses revealed that although the majority of couples concordantly accept wife's condom use negotiation, only 66% of women could ask their husbands to use a condom. Women's age (OR=0.98, P<0.01), household wealth index (OR=1.09, P<0.05), family size (OR=0.93, P<0.001), living in Southern region (OR=0.57, P<0.001) as compared to Central region, having ever heard about STDs (OR=2.95, P<0.001), being aware that condom use could prevent STDs/HIV (OR=1.69, P<0.001) are significantly associated with women's self-efficacy in asking their husbands to use a condom.

Significance of the study: Findings from this study would contribute to the understanding of Vietnamese women's autonomy over sexual behaviors within marital relationship. This would be of significance in designing effective interventions to empower women in negotiating safe sex and reducing risks of STD/HIV transmission in Vietnam's social context.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Women and HIV/AIDS, Sexual Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Empowerment, Gender-based Violence and RH

The 135th APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 3-7, 2007) of APHA