Mawar N, Tripathy SP, John JK, Sinha SK, Quaraishi SY, Bagul R, Gadkari DA; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1998; 12: 249 (abstract no. 14333).
National AIDS Research Institute (ICMR), Pune, India.
OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to understand youth sexual behaviour and possible risks to AIDS/HIV to address "KAP GAP": knowledge, attitude and practice gap to plan sustainable interventions from emic perspectives. METHODS: Under-graduates from 6 co-ed. colleges of Pune (rural/semi-rural/urban) were covered using qualitative (Focus Group Discussions: 69, In-depth Interviews: 152) and quantitative methods (survey: 996 girls & 825 boys) focussing on sexuality, perception of risk etc. Anonymity was assured and maintained throughout the study. RESULTS: AIDS awareness is observed to be high in youth. Both boys and girls interact with each other: ranging from social, emotional, professional to physical and sexual relationships. Sexual experience was reported by only 4.4% (40) girls and one third boys (270); 306 girls and 155 boys reported not experiencing sex, rest did not respond to this query. Amongst those reporting, age at first sexual experience in girls was at 16.1 yrs +/- 2.9 (n = 40); for boys it was at 16.9 yrs +/- 2.3 (n = 269). Heterosexual experience was reported by 37% boys (184/501) and 12% girls (29/252) ranging from non-penetrative (kissing, genital fondling, mutual masturbation etc) to penetrative sex in both except oral sex only in boys. Sex with CSWs was reported by 4% (23/499) boys. Mean number of partners in boys is: 2.9 +/- 2.6 (n = 104) and in girls, range is 1-3 (n = 11). Homosexual experience was reported by 15% boys (77/501) and 5% girls (13/252). Only one third (79/213) reported condom use and one fifth (42/213) its consistent use. HIV infection as a factor for choosing partner was of concern to most girls and boys (90% & 86% resp.). Most did not perceive of risk of HIV except 5% (45/944) girls & 7% (56/794) boys. Knowledge of STDs is limited; 48/470 boys & 6/570 girls reported a STD in last one year, only few consulted a doctor. The youth expressed a need for interactive communication on reproductive health issues be available in their colleges for clarification of their doubts and worries. CONCLUSIONS: It is of major concern that despite adequate knowledge of AIDS, youth reported risky behaviour. AIDS awareness needs to be integrated with youth programmes involving both boys and girls where sexuality, gender relationships are openly discussed along with reproductive health matters and responsible safe behaviour. Participatory approaches like workshops for information dissemination through peer leaders representing both genders be planned for youth enabling democratic and responsible decision making by both, boys and girls.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adolescent
- Attitude
- Behavior
- Biomedical Research
- Data Collection
- Female
- Gender Identity
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
- Humans
- India
- Knowledge
- Male
- Rural Population
- Safe Sex
- Schools
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexuality
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- education
- methods
Other ID:
UI: 102228609
From Meeting Abstracts