Qualitative analysis of sexual health protection behavior by income – The case of Ho Chi Minh city

Abstract

This research examines the sexual health protection behavior of urban HCMC participants using qualitative method. First of all, this research try to find out the attitudes and perception (A&P) towards sexual health protection, subjective norm about sexual health protection and perceived behavioral control of sexual health protection behavior. Besides, this research also tries to exam the relationship between A&P and sexual health protection behavior, between subjective norms and sexual health protection behavior, between perceived behavioral control and sexual health protection behavior. Moreover, this research tries to figure out these connections by income groups, including low-income and high-income groups. In all above empirical studies, some of them are executed in Vietnam long time ago, so the result is not appropriate for current circumstance. Some of them are implemented with the sample of adolescent. Some of them used quantitative method with pre-designed questionnaire, which unable to show the in-deep understanding of participants. So, based on Theory of Planned Behavior, our study carried out to know the Attitude and Perception, Subjective Norms and Perceived Behavioral Control towards the sexual health protection behaviour. Using advantages of qualitative method, we try to know the in-deep understanding of participants with this kind of sensitive topic. The author presented why this study chose qualitative method, and also explain about the NeedScope model we use during interview with participants. Details of participants are also given at next chapter; explained about research methodology, why using qualitative method is the most suitable for this kind of topic. And it also described about NeedScope model, how we use this tool to get the in-deep understanding from respondents; also gave detail information of participants, how to recruit the sample. Applying the NeedScope model in the interview, basing on the theory of planned behavior, we try to get the most appropriate and spontaneous answers from interviewee. And next chapter described this study’s results in detail. The results gave some outputs about A&P, Subjective Norms and Perceived Behavior Control towards the sexual health protection action. HCM participants showed that the spread of media communication gives them many ways to get the information about sexual health: internet, pharmacy, and in school. Most of them know about sexual transmission infection and many ways of protection, such as condom, contraception pills, IUD, and know how to use these methods. But most of them did not think that they could infect these diseases, except for unplanned pregnancy. And their sexual partners were the most important factor that affecting their behaviour of using protection method or not; whereas,parents had very little influence on their intended action. And also, most of them gave concern about the side effects of these methods, and it could enact the action of not using these methods. Besides, the results give the difference between high-income and lowincome groups towards the intended behaviour. While high-income group intended to indulge their feelings during intercourse by not using protection method at all, even they much know about their consequences; low-income group showed much depend on their spouse feeling in selecting protection method, and negotiation with the side effects of this method.