A research study submitted in the partial fulfillment ofrequirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development

Research Studies Project Report (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2006

This aims of study were to examine the sexual culture of adolescents and its consequences. The study is limited to selected adolescents who are attending school and in Vientiane Municipality. Forty adolescents were interviewed in focus group discussion. Changing sexual norms conditions makes prediction of rapid HIV/AIDS in Vientiane. One reason is the changes in socio-economic circumstances have a direct influence on the youth's social and sexual lifestyle in Lao PDR leading to spread of HIV/AIDS/STIs. However, the main issues of adolescent sexuality for girls and boys are different. Adolescents engage in sex early due to the changes of current lifestyle and early puberty. Finding, is gender imbalance the perceptions of premarital sex of young males and females. Both young males and females viewed that premarital sex is approved for males, but not for females. There were hind that same-sex relationships are happening more frequently and to socio-economic changes. The study recommended that to improve adolescents' safety, they should have to know, how to prevent themselves from STIs and HIV/AIDS. All sectors such as government, private sector, NGO should have to increase prevention program of HIV/AIDS/STIs to youth