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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 6(1)

Influence of traditional Vietnamese culture on the utilisation of mainstream health services for sexual health issues by second-generation Vietnamese Australian young women

Helen Rawson A and Pranee Liamputtong A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic. 3086, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: pranee@latrobe.edu.au

Sexual Health 6(1) 75-81 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH08040
Submitted: 2 June 2008  Accepted: 11 September 2008   Published: 23 February 2009

Abstract

Background: The present paper discusses the impact the traditional Vietnamese culture has on the uptake of mainstream health services for sexual health matters by Vietnamese Australian young women. It is part of a wider qualitative study that explored the factors that shaped the sexual behaviour of Vietnamese Australian young women living in Australia. Methods: A Grounded Theory methodology was used, involving in-depth interviews with 15 Vietnamese Australian young women aged 18 to 25 years who reside in Victoria, Australia. Results: The findings demonstrated that the ethnicity of the general practitioner had a clear impact on the women utilising the health service. They perceived that a Vietnamese doctor would hold the traditional view of sex as held by their parents’ generation. They rationalised that due to cultural mores, optimum sexual health care could only be achieved with a non-Vietnamese health professional. Conclusion: It is evident from the present study that cultural influences can impact on the sexual health of young people from culturally diverse backgrounds and in Australia’s multicultural society, provision of sexual health services must acknowledge the specific needs of ethnically diverse young people.

Additional keywords: Grounded Theory, qualitative research, sexual health services.


Acknowledgements

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all the young women who shared their life experiences with us and the two key informants who were our link into the Vietnamese community. They taught us about the community and through their introductions we gained respect and acceptance.


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