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

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.