Simon S, Paxton S; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. WePeD6383.

Psychology Faculty, Widya Mandala Catholic University, Surabaya, Indonesia

BACKGROUND: Most research shows that there is an increase in the frequency of Indonesian young people who are now engaging in sex before marriage. The extent of condom use in young adults is not well known but can be assumed to be very low as reflected in the pregnancy and abortion data. In order to better inform future prevention strategies, the aim of this research was to explore attitudes, beliefs, and practices in relation to sexual relationship and safe sex of Indonesian young adults within their own cultural framework. METHODS: A focus group strategy was employed in order to qualitatively identify the range of views present in the community. The focus groups were selected to vary by sex and ethnic groups. 176 students from seven different universities in Surabaya agreed to participate. The research data was analysed using thematic content analysis. All data was classified against ethnicity, sex and eleven different themes (namely: opinion of sex before marriage, reasons for engaging in sex before marriage, reasons for abstinence, the meaning of sexual relationship, type of first partner, perceived risk of STI/HIV and meaning of safe sex, strategy of safe sex and the practice of non-intercourse relationship, condom provider, factors that encourage or discourage condom use, influence of religion, the relationship between alcohol/drugs and sexual relationship). RESULTS: This study found that there is a shifting opinion regarding the acceptability of sexual relationship before marriage. It was also found that they believe many of their friends are sexually active. Curiosity and sexual desire/arousal, followed by love are among the reasons for engaging in sexual relationship. Qualitatively, knowledge of STIs is good but many of young men are continue to believe in their magical thinking. CONCLUSIONS: Safe sex message in general is understood by young people, but the majority opt pregnancy issue as their real issue.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Adult
• Coitus
• Condoms
• Data Collection
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
• Humans
• Indonesia
• Male
• Pregnancy
• Qualitative Research
• Research
• Risk-Taking
• Safe Sex
• Sexual Behavior
• Students

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0016148

UI: 102253646

From Meeting Abstracts