A nationwide survey for the knowledge of HIV and STDs, sexual behavior and consciousness among Japanese in 1999
(IASR 2000; 21: 139-140)

In order to obtain nationwide trends of sexual behaviors and knowledge of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Japan, a self-administered questionnaire study was carried out to 5,000 Japanese that were randomly selected by 2-step stratification during June to July 1999. In total 3,562 individuals (71.2%) answered the questions. Followings are the main results of the knowledge of HIV/STDs, sexual activities, and recognition of sexual affairs by age and sex.

1. Few respondents knew types of STDs and their transmission patterns, interactions of HIV and STDs, appropriate timing of HIV testing, and anonymous free HIV test services by local health centers. However, textbook-type information on HIV infection was well understood.

2. The average age of initial sexual intercourse has been rapidly shifting to the younger age especially among young females, and it was not different between males and females in the 18-24 years group. Friends in schools who are almost of the same age often become the initial sexual partners.

3. Approximately 10% of males and less than few percents of females had episodes of sex with irregular partners or commercial sex workers within a year. Among them, approximately 20% of males and 10% of females (especially the 18-24 years group) had more than one sexual partners.

4. Nearly 60% of the respondents had episode of fellatio or cunnilingus within a year. The younger group had a higher rate. Five to 6% of them answered that they do anal sex.

5. Approximately 50% of the respondents answered that they seldom used (no use + seldom use) condom irrespective of whether they have regular or irregular partners. The younger group used condom less commonly. The rate of no condom use decreased to less than half of that when they had commercial sex.

6. Those who had homosexual/bisexual partners were seen in 1.2% of males and 2.0% of females.

7. Four percent of the respondents answered that they had concerns about HIV infection within a year. The younger group had a higher rate, and 8.3% of males and 4.4% of females in the 18-24 years group answered so. Approximately 1/6 of those who had concerns received HIV test.

8. Approximately 70% of males and 60% of females correctly understood that the use of oral contraceptives do not prevent HIV/STDs. The purpose of condom use was almost always to avoid pregnancy, and its use for HIV/AIDS prevention remained at 15-16% in males and 5-6% in females.

9. Regarding with sex before marriage, 80-90% of the respondents in the 18-34 years group answered affirmative, but only about 10% of males and 3% of females allowed extramarital sex.

10. More females answered affirmative about homosexual behavior, and the rate reached about 30% in 18-24 years of the female group.

11. Regarding with commercial sex, 20-30% of males in the 25-44 years group answered affirmative, but less than 10% of females answered so.

12. It was found that the rate of having commercial sex in Japanese males (>10%) is remarkably higher than that in Europe and North America (few percent).

Reported by: Masahiro Kihara, Dept. of Global Health and Socio-epidemiology, Kyoto University School of Public Health; Behavioral Science Group, Japanese Study Group on HIV/AIDS Epidemiology and Prevention, Ministry of Health and Welfare

Correspondence: Masahiro Kihara;
E-mail: poghse@pbh.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp

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