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Correlates of sexual behaviour of rural college youth in Maharashtra, India

Year 2011, Volume: 16 Issue: 2, 122 - 132, 21.01.2013

Abstract

Abstract. Although premarital sex relationships are widely discouraged in India, some youth do form such relationships. It is important to understand the nature and extent of youth sexual behaviour and examine the relationship between individual characteristics, knowledge and attitude towards reproductive health issues and sexual behaviour. In order to study the sexual behaviour of rural youth, quantitative data have been collected among 1500 students (800 male and 700 female) and qualitative data through 4 focus group discussions & 4 in-depth interviews, in the age group 15-24 years in Thane district of Maharashtra during 2005. Chi-square test and regression analysis was performed using the sexual experience (penetrative and non-penetrative sex) as the dependent variable to find out the association and relationship with individual characteristics (age, education, working status, peer interaction, erotic exposure, and habits), knowledge and attitude towards reproductive health issues. Boys and girls lacked scientific information and misconceptions are widespread on various reproductive health issues. Boys had more liberal attitudes towards premarital sex as compared to the girls. Proportion of students with any sexual experience (penetrative and non-penetrative sex) was much higher in boys (29.8%) compared to girls (4.9%). Around 11 percent boys and 1 percent girls who reported penetrative sex (vaginal, /oral / anal), around half of them did not use condom. Homosexual experience was reported by 11 percent boys and 3 percent girls. AIDS awareness was observed high (89% & 87 % respectively among boys and girls). However the knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases was limited.  Exposure to alcohol, drugs, pornographic films, having more frequent interaction with peers and working status of the students were positively related with penetrative and non-penetrative sex relationships for both boys and girls. Over 83 percent youth expressed a need for interactive communication on reproductive health issues be available in their colleges. The rural youth engaged in penetrative sex and use condom inconsistently are at risk of STIs and HIV transmission to their partners. Findings underscore the need for sexual and reproductive health interventions to target not only young people but also their peers.

Key words: Sexual behaviour, rural youth, reproductive health, youth sexuality, sexual health

References

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  • Awasthi S, Nichter M, Pande VK. Developing an interactive STD-prevention program for youth: lessons from a north Indian slum. Stud Fam Plann 2000; 31: 138-150.
  • Collumbien M, Das B, Bohidar N. Male sexual debut in orissa, India: context, partners and differentials. Asia-Pacific Population Journal 2001; 16: 211-224.
  • Jejeebhoy SJ, Sebastian MP. Young people’s sexual and reproductive health, in looking Back, Looking Forward: A Profile of Sexual and Reproductive Health in India, ed. S.J. Jejeebhoy. New Delhi: Population Council 2004; pp. 138–168.
  • Brahme RG, Sahay S, Malhotra-Kohli R, et al. High-risk behaviour in young men attending sexually transmitted disease clinics in Pune, India. AIDS Care 2005; 17: 377-385.
  • Potdar R, Koenig MA. Does Audio-CASI improve reports of risky behavior? Evidence from a randomized field trial among young urban men in India. Stud Fam Plann 2005; 36: 107-116.
  • Ram U, Bhat R, Dwivedi LK. Tourism and sexual behaviour. Experiences of youth in Goa. Journal of Family Welfare 2007; 52: 59-72.
  • Alexander M, Garda L, Kanade S, Jejeebhoy S, Ganatra B. Romance and sex: pre-marital partnership formation among young women and men, Pune district, India. Reprod Health Matters 2006; 14: 144-155.
  • International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) and Macro International. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3), 2005–06: India, Volume 1. Mumbai: IIPS, 2007.
  • Pradhan MR, Ram U. 2007. Identifying context and vulnerability of the urban youth towards premarital sex: Evidences from Puri, Orissa. Indian Journal of Youth Affairs 2007; 11: 105-114.
  • Jaya, Hindin MJ, Ahmed S. Differences in young people's reports of sexual behaviors according to interview methodology: a randomized trial in India. Am J Public Health 2008; 98: 169-174.
  • National Institute of Medical Statistics and National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). 2008. National Behavioural Surveillance Survey (BSS), 2006; Youth (15-24 Years) New Delhi: NACO, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Accessed 5 January 2009 at http://www.nacoonline.org/Quick_Links/Publication /ME_and_Research_Surveillance/Reports_and_Surv eys/National_BSS_20062/
  • Ghule Mohan: ‘Sexual and Reproductive Health of Youth: A study of male students in Maharashtra, India, Ph D. Dissertation (unpublished), International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, 2004.
  • Mamdani M. 1999. 'Adolescent reproductive health: experience of community based programms', in S. Pachauri (ed.), Implementing a Reproductive Health Agenda in India: The Beginning. New Delhi: Population Council 1999; pp. 261-311.
  • Singh S. Men, Misinformation and HIV/AIDS in India. Toward a new partnership: Encouraging the positive involvement of men as supportive partners in reproductive health, New York: Population Council 1997. 16. Youth: National Behavioral Surveillance study 2006. National AIDS Control Organization. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare 2006.
  • Sachdev P. AIDS/HIV and university students in Delhi, India: knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. Soc Work Health Care 1998; 26: 37-57.
  • Sen J. Awareness of AIDS control and Sexual Behaviour of Youth in a town of Assam state. J Hum Ecol 2007; 22: 187-200.
  • GAO EX-Sheng; ZHAO Shang-ling & T U Xiaowon: ’Study on attitude towards premarital sex behaviour and the predictors of attitude among subjects participating in required premarital physical examinations’, Chinese Journal of Health Statistics (in Chinese): 16(4): 206 Cited in Reproduction and contraception, Vol. 12, 2001.
  • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia- Website Wikipedia.org
  • Nag M. 1996. Sexual Behaviour and AIDS in India, New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House Private Limited.
  • Jha Saroj: ‘Lifestyle Related Problems of Youth’, The Indian Journal of Social Work, Vol. LV. No.1, Jan. 1994.
  • Alexander M, Garda L, Kanade S, Jejeebhoy S, Ganatra B. Correlates of premarital relationships among unmarried youth in Pune district, Maharashtra, India. Int Fam Plan Perspect 2007; 33: 150-159.
  • Devries KM, Free CJ, Morison L, Saewyc E. Factors associated with the sexual behavior of Canadian Aboriginal young people and their implications for health promotion. Am J Public Health 2009; 99: 855-862.
  • Kayembe KP, Mapatano MA, Busangu FA, et al. Correlates of ever had sex and of recent sex among teenagers and young unmarried adults in the Democratic Republic of Congo. AIDS Behav 2008; 12: 585-593.
  • Isarabhakadi Pimonpan: ‘Sexual attitudes and experiences of rural Thai youth’, Institute for Population and Social research, Mahidol University, 2000, ISBN No. 974-663-670-7, IPSR Pub. No. 249.
  • Kiragu Karungari and Zabin, Lauries: ‘The Correlates of Pre Marital Sexual Activity Among School Age Adolescents in Kenya’, International Family Planning Perspectives, 1993, Vol. 19, No.3, pp 92-97.
  • Thornton A, Camburn D: ‘Religious Participation and Adolescent Sexual Behaviour and Attitudes’, Journal of Marriage & the Family, 51, pp 641 Cited in Family Planning Perspectives, Vol. 22 Jan/Feb 1990.
  • Mutatkar RK, Apte Hemant: ‘Sexual Behaviour amongst Adolescents in Rural Western Maharashtra’, AIDS Research & Review, 1999; pp. 89-94.
  • Family Planning Association of India (FPAI): ‘Youth Sexuality: A study of Knowledge Attitudes Beliefs and Practices among Urban Educated Indian Youth’, 1993-1994, Bombay, Sex Education Counselling Research Training/Therapy Department, 1995.
Year 2011, Volume: 16 Issue: 2, 122 - 132, 21.01.2013

Abstract

References

  • Abraham L. Kumar KA. Sexual experiences and their correlates among college students in Mumbai city, India International Family Planning Perspectives 1999; 25: 139-146.
  • Awasthi S, Nichter M, Pande VK. Developing an interactive STD-prevention program for youth: lessons from a north Indian slum. Stud Fam Plann 2000; 31: 138-150.
  • Collumbien M, Das B, Bohidar N. Male sexual debut in orissa, India: context, partners and differentials. Asia-Pacific Population Journal 2001; 16: 211-224.
  • Jejeebhoy SJ, Sebastian MP. Young people’s sexual and reproductive health, in looking Back, Looking Forward: A Profile of Sexual and Reproductive Health in India, ed. S.J. Jejeebhoy. New Delhi: Population Council 2004; pp. 138–168.
  • Brahme RG, Sahay S, Malhotra-Kohli R, et al. High-risk behaviour in young men attending sexually transmitted disease clinics in Pune, India. AIDS Care 2005; 17: 377-385.
  • Potdar R, Koenig MA. Does Audio-CASI improve reports of risky behavior? Evidence from a randomized field trial among young urban men in India. Stud Fam Plann 2005; 36: 107-116.
  • Ram U, Bhat R, Dwivedi LK. Tourism and sexual behaviour. Experiences of youth in Goa. Journal of Family Welfare 2007; 52: 59-72.
  • Alexander M, Garda L, Kanade S, Jejeebhoy S, Ganatra B. Romance and sex: pre-marital partnership formation among young women and men, Pune district, India. Reprod Health Matters 2006; 14: 144-155.
  • International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) and Macro International. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3), 2005–06: India, Volume 1. Mumbai: IIPS, 2007.
  • Pradhan MR, Ram U. 2007. Identifying context and vulnerability of the urban youth towards premarital sex: Evidences from Puri, Orissa. Indian Journal of Youth Affairs 2007; 11: 105-114.
  • Jaya, Hindin MJ, Ahmed S. Differences in young people's reports of sexual behaviors according to interview methodology: a randomized trial in India. Am J Public Health 2008; 98: 169-174.
  • National Institute of Medical Statistics and National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). 2008. National Behavioural Surveillance Survey (BSS), 2006; Youth (15-24 Years) New Delhi: NACO, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Accessed 5 January 2009 at http://www.nacoonline.org/Quick_Links/Publication /ME_and_Research_Surveillance/Reports_and_Surv eys/National_BSS_20062/
  • Ghule Mohan: ‘Sexual and Reproductive Health of Youth: A study of male students in Maharashtra, India, Ph D. Dissertation (unpublished), International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, 2004.
  • Mamdani M. 1999. 'Adolescent reproductive health: experience of community based programms', in S. Pachauri (ed.), Implementing a Reproductive Health Agenda in India: The Beginning. New Delhi: Population Council 1999; pp. 261-311.
  • Singh S. Men, Misinformation and HIV/AIDS in India. Toward a new partnership: Encouraging the positive involvement of men as supportive partners in reproductive health, New York: Population Council 1997. 16. Youth: National Behavioral Surveillance study 2006. National AIDS Control Organization. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare 2006.
  • Sachdev P. AIDS/HIV and university students in Delhi, India: knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. Soc Work Health Care 1998; 26: 37-57.
  • Sen J. Awareness of AIDS control and Sexual Behaviour of Youth in a town of Assam state. J Hum Ecol 2007; 22: 187-200.
  • GAO EX-Sheng; ZHAO Shang-ling & T U Xiaowon: ’Study on attitude towards premarital sex behaviour and the predictors of attitude among subjects participating in required premarital physical examinations’, Chinese Journal of Health Statistics (in Chinese): 16(4): 206 Cited in Reproduction and contraception, Vol. 12, 2001.
  • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia- Website Wikipedia.org
  • Nag M. 1996. Sexual Behaviour and AIDS in India, New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House Private Limited.
  • Jha Saroj: ‘Lifestyle Related Problems of Youth’, The Indian Journal of Social Work, Vol. LV. No.1, Jan. 1994.
  • Alexander M, Garda L, Kanade S, Jejeebhoy S, Ganatra B. Correlates of premarital relationships among unmarried youth in Pune district, Maharashtra, India. Int Fam Plan Perspect 2007; 33: 150-159.
  • Devries KM, Free CJ, Morison L, Saewyc E. Factors associated with the sexual behavior of Canadian Aboriginal young people and their implications for health promotion. Am J Public Health 2009; 99: 855-862.
  • Kayembe KP, Mapatano MA, Busangu FA, et al. Correlates of ever had sex and of recent sex among teenagers and young unmarried adults in the Democratic Republic of Congo. AIDS Behav 2008; 12: 585-593.
  • Isarabhakadi Pimonpan: ‘Sexual attitudes and experiences of rural Thai youth’, Institute for Population and Social research, Mahidol University, 2000, ISBN No. 974-663-670-7, IPSR Pub. No. 249.
  • Kiragu Karungari and Zabin, Lauries: ‘The Correlates of Pre Marital Sexual Activity Among School Age Adolescents in Kenya’, International Family Planning Perspectives, 1993, Vol. 19, No.3, pp 92-97.
  • Thornton A, Camburn D: ‘Religious Participation and Adolescent Sexual Behaviour and Attitudes’, Journal of Marriage & the Family, 51, pp 641 Cited in Family Planning Perspectives, Vol. 22 Jan/Feb 1990.
  • Mutatkar RK, Apte Hemant: ‘Sexual Behaviour amongst Adolescents in Rural Western Maharashtra’, AIDS Research & Review, 1999; pp. 89-94.
  • Family Planning Association of India (FPAI): ‘Youth Sexuality: A study of Knowledge Attitudes Beliefs and Practices among Urban Educated Indian Youth’, 1993-1994, Bombay, Sex Education Counselling Research Training/Therapy Department, 1995.
There are 29 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Mohan Ghule This is me

Balaiah Donta This is me

Publication Date January 21, 2013
Published in Issue Year 2011 Volume: 16 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Ghule, M., & Donta, B. (2013). Correlates of sexual behaviour of rural college youth in Maharashtra, India. EASTERN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE, 16(2), 122-132.
AMA Ghule M, Donta B. Correlates of sexual behaviour of rural college youth in Maharashtra, India. EASTERN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE. March 2013;16(2):122-132.
Chicago Ghule, Mohan, and Balaiah Donta. “Correlates of Sexual Behaviour of Rural College Youth in Maharashtra, India”. EASTERN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 16, no. 2 (March 2013): 122-32.
EndNote Ghule M, Donta B (March 1, 2013) Correlates of sexual behaviour of rural college youth in Maharashtra, India. EASTERN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 16 2 122–132.
IEEE M. Ghule and B. Donta, “Correlates of sexual behaviour of rural college youth in Maharashtra, India”, EASTERN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 122–132, 2013.
ISNAD Ghule, Mohan - Donta, Balaiah. “Correlates of Sexual Behaviour of Rural College Youth in Maharashtra, India”. EASTERN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 16/2 (March 2013), 122-132.
JAMA Ghule M, Donta B. Correlates of sexual behaviour of rural college youth in Maharashtra, India. EASTERN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE. 2013;16:122–132.
MLA Ghule, Mohan and Balaiah Donta. “Correlates of Sexual Behaviour of Rural College Youth in Maharashtra, India”. EASTERN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE, vol. 16, no. 2, 2013, pp. 122-3.
Vancouver Ghule M, Donta B. Correlates of sexual behaviour of rural college youth in Maharashtra, India. EASTERN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE. 2013;16(2):122-3.