Life styles, sexuality and cultural beliefs related to unsafe sexual practices among youth in Peri-Urban Yangon, Myanmar

Abstract

This study was directed to explore the various unsafe sexual practices among selected youth in peri-urban Yangon Myanmar. These unsafe sexual practices were explored from the real experiences of the youth. Youth lifestyles, gender differences in youth sexuality in terms of sexual meanings and sexual partnerships, and beliefs on Se xually Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV/ AIDS and unintended pregnancy pr evention and condom use were explored to comprehend their influence on sexual practices. This study was conducted in a selected peri -urban township, which is an economically active industrial zone of Yangon. A total of 21 young people (10 women and 11 men), all of whom had experienced sexual intercourse without using condoms, and some of whom had had STIs and unintended pregnancy. They were purposively selected and interviewed to explore their sexual practices, their lifestyl es, sexual meanings, sexual partnerships and beliefs on STIs, HIV/AIDS and unintended pregnancy preventi on. Five sessions of focus group discussions were conducted to provide info rmation and general ideas about the youth in the area. Non-participatory observation and ke y informant interviews were performed to confirm and support the findings of Focus Group Discussions and in-depth interviews. Unstable family structure and poor family inte raction led the youth to be exposed prematurely to the outside world moreover work envi ronment permitted the escape from the traditional family control. These provided the chance to develop peer networks under peer pressure and new interests. These new interests and peer networks lead the youth to create intimate sexual relationship. As sexual matters are socially constructed and also bounded by traditional culture, the concepts on sexuality in terms of se xual partnerships and meanings lead the youth to engage in unsafe