Young single women using abortion in Hanoi, Vietnam

This study describes the population characteristics among a hospital-based sample of single women who experienced an abortion in Hanoi, Viet Nam. Data were obtained from topical and in-depth interviews with women in two Hanoi hospitals, a district health center, and a private clinic in Hadong, a Hanoi suburb. The total sample consisted of 279 single women. 75% were residents of Hanoi. In-migrants had lived in Hanoi for an average of 4 years. Over 80% lived with their parents or relatives, of whom 60% lived in privately-owned housing. Nearly 20% lived alone. Nearly 40% had a college education; almost 50% had completed secondary school. The average monthly income was 358,000 dong. Over 95% had a boyfriend at the time of the survey. 33% had engaged in their first sexual intercourse within the prior year. The average duration between first sex and abortion was about 15 months. Among those with the first boyfriend, the interval was shorter (7 months). About 45% waited 6 months before having their first sexual intercourse; 38% waited 1 year. Among first abortion users, under 20% had ever used a contraceptive method. The few that had used contraception used it ineffectively. Almost 50% had never talked about sexuality with anyone. Over 93% believed that the pregnancy could have been avoided. Most desired high-quality printed information and a youth-specific health center. Qualitative findings revealed misconceptions about contraception. Following abortion, most did not want another unwanted pregnancy. The implications for policies and programs are identified

Transnational marriages between Vietnamese women and asian men in Vietnamese online media

This paper examines the social construction of marriage migration in Vietnamese online media. We present a content analysis of 643 items published online between 2000 and 2010 on international marriages between Vietnamese women and foreign Asian men. Our analysis reveals that online media content speaks to four important shifts discussed in Vietnamese studies: (1) shifts in notions of gender, sexuality, and marriage; (2) emerging discourses around class-making; (3) emerging discourse on human trafficking; and (4) shifting roles of the media

Attitudes About Sex and Marital Sexual Behavior in Hai Duong Province, Vietnam

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/74926/1/j.1728-4465.2005.00047.x.pd

Effects of water scarcity awareness and climate change belief on recycled water usage willingness: Evidence from New Mexico, United States

The global water crisis is being exacerbated by climate change, even in the United States. Recycled water is a feasible alternative to alleviate the water shortage, but it is constrained by humans’ perceptions. The current study examines how residents’ water scarcity awareness and climate change belief influence their willingness to use recycled water directly and indirectly. Bayesian Mindsponge Framework (BMF) analytics was employed on a dataset of 1831 residents in Albuquerque, New Mexico, an arid inland region in the US. We discovered that residents’ willingness to use direct recycled potable water is positively affected by their awareness of water scarcity, but the effect is conditional on their belief in the impacts of climate change on the water cycle. Meanwhile, the willingness to use indirect recycled potable water is influenced by water scarcity awareness, and the belief in climate change further enhances this effect. These findings implicate that fighting climate change denialism and informing the public of the water scarcity situation in the region can contribute to the effectiveness and sustainability of long-term water conservation and climate change alleviation efforts

The Dark Side of Female HIV Patient Care: Sexual and Reproductive Health Risks in Pre- and Post-Clinical Treatments

This study examines the pre- and post-clinical issues in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care and treatment for women and girls of high-risk population groups—namely sex workers, injecting drug users, women living with HIV, primary sexual partners of people living with HIV, adolescent girls who are children of these groups, and migrant young girls and women—in five provinces and cities in Vietnam. Through a sample of 241 surveyed participants and 48 respondents for in-depth interviews and 32 respondents in the focus group discussions, the study identifies multiple barriers that keep these groups from receiving the proper health care that is well within their human rights. Most respondents rated HIV testing as easily accessible, yet only 18.9% of the surveyed women living with HIV disclosed their infection status, while 37.8% gave no information at the most recent prenatal care visit. The level of knowledge and proper practices of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care also remains limited. Meanwhile, modern birth control methods have yet to be widely adopted among these populations: only 30.7% of respondents reported using condoms when having sex with their husband. This increases the risks of unwanted pregnancy and abortion, as well as vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV transmission. On the other hand, HIV-related stigma and discrimination at health care settings are still pervasive, which create significant barriers for patients to access proper care services. Based on these results, six recommendations to improve SRH status of women and girls of populations at high risk are put forward

Single women’s experiences with sexuality and abortion in Hanoi, Vietnam

This article explores the circumstances of premarital sexuality, unwanted pregnancies, and abortion among single women in Vietnam. Twenty in-depth interviews were conducted with single women who had an abortion in the Hanoi region in 1996. Participants were contacted through two health centres providing abortion services. Results show that women have sex in the context of committed relationships and view sexual relationships as part of courtship and dating. Only half of the women reported attempts to use a contraceptive method, though none of them wanted to become pregnant. Lack of knowledge and the belief that contraceptives are for married couples were among the reasons given for not seeking the means to prevent pregnancy. Eight of the women interviewed had had more than one abortion. Most of the women had abortions because they could not or chose not to marry. Single women who wish to avoid unwanted pregnancy need access to contraceptive counselling and services. Gender awareness debates among youth could help to encourage joint and equal responsibility for these mattersCet article étudie les caractéristiques de la sexualité prémaritale, des grossesses non désirées et de Yavortement chez les femmes célibataires au Viet Nam. Vingt femmes célibataires ayant subi un avortement dans la région de Hanoi en 1996 ont été interrogées. Les participantes avaient été sélectionnées par le biais de deux centres de santé pratiquant les avortements. Les résultats montrent que les femmes ont des rapports sexuels dans le contexte de relations sérieuses et jugent normal d'avoir des rapports sexuels avec un homme qui leur fait la cour ou avec qui elles sortent. La moitié des femmes n'ont jamais utilisé de méthode contraceptive, même si elles ne voulaient pas d'enfant. Le manque de connaissances et l'idée que les contraceptifs sont réservés aux couples mariés étaient parmi les raisons citées pour ne pas rechercher les moyens d'éviter une grossesse. Huit des femmes interrogées avaient subi plus d'un avortement. La majorité des femmes avaient interrompu leur grossesse parce qu'elles ne pouvaient ou ne voulaient pas se marier. Les femmes célibataires qui souhaitent évitar une grossesse doivent pouvoir bénéficier de conseils et avoir accès à des services appropriés. Faire prendre conscience aux jeunes de l'inégalité entre les sexes pourrait les encourager à assumer une responsabilité conjointe et égale dans ces questions.Este artículo examina las circunstancias en torno a la sexualidad prematrimonial, el embarazo no deseado y el aborto entre mujeres no casadas en Vietnam. Se realizaron un total de 20 entrevistas de fondo con solteras que se habían hecho un aborto en la región de Hanoi en 1996. Se tomó contacto con las participantes a través de dos centros de salud que proveen servicios de aborto. Los resultados demuestran que las mujeres tienen relaciones sexuales en el contexto de relaciones de compromiso, y que ellas perciben las relaciones sexuales como parte del cortejo y de salir en pareja. La mitad de las mujeres no usaron ningtún método anticonceptivo aunque no querían quedar embarazadas. Entre las razones que dieron por no buscar una manera de prevenir el embarazo, se mencionaron la falta de conocimiento y la creencia de que los anticonceptivos son para las parejas casadas. Ocho de las mujeres entrevistadas se habían hecho más de un aborto. La mayoría de las mujeres habían recurrido al aborto porque no podían o no querían casarse. Las solteras que quieren evitar un embarazo no deseado necesitan acceso a servicios de consejería y de salud. Charlas dirigidas a despertar conciencia de género entre los jóvenes podrían ayudar a fomentar la responsabilidad compartida y equitativa en estas materias

Marriage and the family in urban North Vietnam, 1965-1993

In-depth interviews were conducted among 112 persons who were married during 1965-85 (53 persons) and during 1987-92 (57 persons) in three districts of Hanoi, Vietnam. Data pertain to 1994. Persons were grouped as college educated or not. The aim of this paper is to examine mate selection among urban couples and the nature of traditional cultural influences under socialism. The period 1965-85 is characterized as involving both the family and the state in marriage and mate selection. Public sector workers received housing units, coupons for food, and access to health care and other public services. During 1965-85 there was a shift from an emphasis on economic status to political status (whether one had the preferred lineage and access to public employment). 50% of participants had parents who initiated the process of mate selection. Among the other 50%, children chose their own mates. Although there was a loosening of the traditional parental choice model, there was never a transition to sole decision making by the child. In order for the marriage to take place, the work place administration had to approve of the marriage. Parents gave approval to the child's choice. Parents in the north generally selected their children's mates on the basis of their own desires and the political community. The most important criterion was that the mate should work for the government. Families did not mix residence backgrounds or educational levels in securing compatibility between mates. Four to five years age difference was preferred. No age difference was perceived as a threat to harmony and family stability. The cohorts born during the 1940s and 1950s showed wider differences in timing and mate selection. Those born after the war reached the marriage market under more favorable conditions. Marriages during 1987-92 involved mate selection by the child and parental approval, which was required but was usually only a confirmation of the child's choice. The family background of the future spouse lost importance. Opportunities for meeting spouses increased during this period. Age was no longer a compulsory criterion. The authors' interpretation is that tradition survived the political changes, This pattern was unlike Chinese families. Social differences created by reforms may have loosened the norms on timing of marriage for some population groups