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China's adult population is engaging in behavior that puts them at risk of infection with HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases at a time when infections in Asia-Pacific countries are on the rise, a new survey by Zogby International finds.

The online survey of 3,753 Chinese adults also found a widespread lack of knowledge about behaviors that can lead to STD transmission, as well as large-scale engagement in risky activities like patronizing commercial sex workers—which 37% of Chinese men surveyed state they have done.

Premarital sex is increasingly common in China, the survey suggests, with 46% of 18-to-24 year-olds surveyed indicating they had had sex within the past week, while just 3% of respondents in that age group indicated being married.

Particularly troubling is the fact that Chinese adults are twice as likely to say they never discuss HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases with potential partners as to say they always do so, by a 33% to 17% margin, with 41% say they are not sure if they discuss sexual infections with these potential partners.

This revelation is noteworthy in light of the fact that three in four of those surveyed claim that they always know for sure that their sexual partners are free of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Yet respondents are poorly informed about even very common STDs, such as herpes. Three in four respondents indicated they were not sure about the level of genital herpes infections in China, while only 6% were aware that an estimated one in five Chinese are afflicted with the disease.

Half of survey respondents also indicated they were not sure how herpes was spread, while two in five correctly identified the modes of transmission for the disease. The survey suggests that the youngest respondents-those aged 18 to 24-are somewhat less knowledgeable than their counterparts aged 25 to 34, although older age groups were even less knowledgeable.

Chinese adults are, however, aware that they are unaware, with just 31% calling themselves well-educated about sexually transmitted diseases. While the youngest respondents were the least likely to call themselves knowledgeable, there is a clear male-female division, with men much more likely to call themselves informed than women, by a 35% to 22% margin.

Pollster John Zogby: “Although our survey reached a group of people who are more urban, wealthy, educated, and male than China overall, it opens a window onto sexual behavior in the world’s most populous nation—and there is cause for concern. Respondents present a dangerous mixture of complacency and ignorance about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS.”

Despite the obvious concerns the survey raises about the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, the survey provides some positive news as well. Chinese are much less likely than their American counterparts to state they have had unprotected sex while under the influence of alcohol. While 28% of Chinese surveyed engage in this risky behavior, a similar study of Americans suggests that as many as two in three U.S. adults have.

And, despite the survey's revelations about men paying for sex, the vast majority of Chinese-89% among all age groups, and 84% among even the oldest group in the study-say they have had no more than five sexual partners in their lifetimes. Meanwhile, eight in ten respondents indicated they were in a monogamous relationship-although, among married respondents, 15% indicated their relationship was not monogamous.

Overall, however, the survey should reinforce concerns about the spread of AIDS in China, according to Zogby. "Our survey reveals a population as yet ill-informed about the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases, but whose behavior is changing. In the past, low numbers of lifetime sex partners would have limited most people's risks. Today, however, young people are staying single for much longer and their risks are increasing too."

The online survey of 3,753 Chinese adults was conducted by Zogby International from March 6 through 22, 2006, and was primarily concentrated in China's urban areas.

Zogby International is a leading polling firm with experience in 65 countries and worldwide reach.  It specializes in survey research in hard-to-reach areas, including Africa, the Middle East and China.  As an industry leader, it continues to develop innovative solutions in opinion research, including its interactive polling division, using online technology to generate accurate results in many American political elections.  Zogby has offices in Utica, N.Y., Washington D.C., and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

For a detailed methodological statement on our recent survey, please click here