Factors related to sexual behaviors and sexual education programs for Asian-American adolescents

Abstract

Aim: To understand the influential factors related to sexual behaviors among Asian-American adolescents and to evaluate common factors across successful sexual education programs for this population.

Background: Despite a rapid increase in cases of STIs/HIV among Asian-American populations, there remains a need for a comprehensive understanding of the influential factors related to risky sexual behaviors for this population.

Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted. Peer-reviewed articles and government resources were analyzed.

Results: Five influential factors were identified: family-centered cultural values, parental relationship, acculturation, gender roles, and lack of knowledge and information about sex and STIs. Only two sexual educational programs met the inclusion criteria and provided evidence towards effectiveness: Safer Choices and Seattle Social Development Project.

Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate an urgent need for culturally sensitive sexual education programs that incorporate the identified influential factors, especially cultural values in order to reduce risky sexual behaviors among Asian-American adolescents.

Keywords: Asian-American adolescents; Factors; Sexual behaviors; Sexual education program; Sexuality; Sexually transmitted infections.