While single women in Hong Kong are increasingly less conservative on the subject of sexual intercourse, given that about 50 percent of interviewees found it acceptable to be engaged in a sexual relationship at the age of 18, they lack necessary sound contraception knowledge, a survey conducted by Hong Kong University shows.
"Oral contraceptives - birth control pills - are a 99.8 percent effective means for preventing pregnancy. Nonetheless, surveys show that Hong Kong single women lag behind in contraception know-how," gynecologist Dominic Li Fuk-him said.
"The pill is more reliable; condoms are not as effective except for preventing sexually transmitted diseases, if used properly. Combining both measures is the best way to go."
ADVERTISEMENT
The survey showed that among 502 single women aged between 18 and 40, about half found it acceptable for a woman to start having sex at age 18.
"And women with higher education seem to favor satisfaction more than others," said Karie Pang Ka-lai, program manager of the university's Public Opinion Program.
The survey also revealed that 50 percent condoned having more than one sexual partner in a lifetime.
"With regard to contraception, 70 percent perceived condoms as having dual purposes in preventing pregnancy and venereal diseases; 17 percent mistakenly thought condoms are for birth control only; and 46 percent mistakenly perceived condoms more reliable that contraceptive pills," Pang said.
Trademark and Copyright Notice: Copyright
2005, The Standard Newspaper Publishing Ltd., and its related entities. All
rights reserved. Use in whole or part of this site's content is
prohibited. Use of this Web site assumes acceptance of the
Terms of Use
and
Copyright Policy.
Please also read our
Ethics Statement.
