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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Louise Badiane, PhD and Pamela Erickson, DrPH, PhD. Anthropology, University of Connecticut, U-2176, Storrs, CT 06269, 860 486-4554, louise.badiane@uconn.edu

This paper presents the findings of role plays and group discussions on how young Filipino men communicate about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) matters with their partners. The study took place in Tagbilaran, Bohol in the Visayas island group, Philippines in summer 2002. 43 male and 43 female, in and out of school youth age 14 to 25 participated in three-day, live-in workshops. Informed consent was obtained from participants and their parents or guardians. Methods included self-administered survey, group discussions, free listing and ranking exercises, collage, and role-play. Overall, we found that young men openly and extensively discuss sexual issues with their male siblings, peers, and sex workers, but that they are less likely to communicate directly with their partners. Sex is difficult to discuss with girlfriends because of fear of rejection, not knowing her well, and fear of appearing uninformed about SRH. It is far easier for young men to talk about romance with partners than about sex. Unmarried couples are fearful of introducing discussion of SRH for fear of their partner's reaction, thus leaving them unprepared for sex. Young men indicate that lack of information, inexperience, and social conservatism make discussion of SRH difficult for them, and when emotion is tied to sex, communication fails. Young men believed that an increase of young people's knowledge about SRH issues from various reliable and accurate sources such as books, family, health providers and teachers would facilitate young men's communication with partners about SRH issues.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Identify ways in which young Filipino men talk to their partners about sex.
• List the factors affecting communication about sex.
• Describe what kinds of programs young men would like to help them be better communicators.

Keywords: Youth, Communication

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No