Hong Kong Women Unaware Of Benefits, Risks Of Different Contraception Methods, Survey Finds

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 29 Aug 2007 - 12:00 PDT

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Hong Kong women are not fully aware of the benefits and risks of different types of contraception, according to a survey of 502 single women ages 18 to 40 conducted by the University of Hong Kong, China Daily reports.

The survey found 30% of the women did not know that condoms could prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and 58% of the women were not aware of the benefits of oral contraceptives (Wong, China Daily, 8/24). In addition, the survey found 17% of the women thought condoms could only be used to prevent pregnancy, and 46% said condoms are more reliable at preventing pregnancy than oral contraceptives (Standard, 8/24).

Among the women surveyed, 25% said external ejaculation was their preferred method of contraception, 15% said they planned to have intercourse only during their monthly periods, and 3% said they did not use any form of contraception. According to ob-gyn Dominic Li Fuk-him, many women are reluctant to use some methods of contraception because of pressure from their partners or beliefs, such as oral contraceptives leading to weight gain. About 54% of the women said it is OK to have multiple sexual partners, while 28% said women should only have one partner (China Daily, 8/24).

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