Hong Kong people have been recorded a low public awareness in sexual health and unwilling to seek professional advice, according to the Pfizer's global study of sexual attitudes and behaviors.

The initial findings released by Pfizer Corporation Tuesday showed that 81 percent of the respondents from Hong Kong expressed they would not seek advice from their doctors with their sexual health problems.

It is also remarkable to note that only 8 percent of the respondents in Hong Kong indicated that their doctors initiated discussions about sexual health with them in the last three years, lower that the global average at 9 percent.

The study recruited more than 26,000 people in 29 countries and regions around the world.

"This finding indicates that education for both the public and the doctors needs to be strengthened, so as to encourage the public to discuss their problems with their doctors," said Dr Peter Chan, chairman of Asian Erectile Dysfunction Advisory Council and Training.

On the other hand, doctors should take the initiative to explain to their patients information on sexual health, and to warm them of the potential complications resulting from sexual dysfunction, Chan said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2002)