‘Don't cross a man's feet’: Hmong parent–daughter communication about sexual health

Parent–adolescent communication about sexual health is one strategy to encourage healthy adolescent sexual behaviour. However, this literature has largely overlooked immigrant families. Hmong youth, identified as facing extreme challenges to parent–adolescent communication, are considered in the USA. Content analysis was used to examine parent–adolescent communication about sexual health for 44 pregnant or parenting Hmong adolescent girls. The minority of adolescents recalled an actual conversation about sexual health in their families with mothers most often identified as the source. Their stories reflect discussions about abstinence, puberty, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections – with much information being inaccurate. With culture being a recurrent theme, communication was reported to be hindered by cultural traditions, comfort level, applicability, and perceived consequences. The results identify opportunities for culturally-relevant sex education materials in the US Hmong community.