Late-Night Outreach, New Approach: Busting Sexual Health Myths

Our outreach team tried something new this month. While we usually run late-night outreach around the nightlife spots in Yau Tsim Mong district, we stepped outside our usual area and brought our Teen’s Key Sexuality Education Booth to the Osman Ramju Sadick Memorial Sports Centre in Kwai Chung. We joined the Late-Night Sports Centre event organized by “Night Track” – the Overnight Outreaching Service for YNDs (Kwai Tsing District) of the Hong Kong Playground Association.

That night, we set up a 27-question sexual health quiz. It turns out, passing was not easy. The three most common misconceptions were:

1.     Unclear about legal channels for contraception
Many believed that underage individuals cannot buy condoms at convenience stores. Some thought emergency contraceptive pills can be bought at pharmacies. In Hong Kong, emergency contraceptive pills are prescription-only[EH1]  medicines. Even if a pharmacy sells it, that sale is not legal and may involve counterfeit products and safety risks.

2.     Limited knowledge of HIV testing service
Many did not know where to get tested or that there is a three-month window period for accurate results.

3.     A “it will not happen to me” mindset about contraception

A common myth is that vaginal douching prevents pregnancy or STIs. We noticed some girls, influenced by this misinformation, still tried it despite knowing it is ineffective.

We will keep joining the Late-Night Sports Centre event, creating open, judgement‑free spaces and clear up myths with more young people.