High-risk behaviour in young men attending sexually transmitted disease clinics in Pune, India
Brahme, R.G.; Sahay, S.; Malhotra-Kohli, R.; Divekar, A.D.; Gangakhedkar, R.R.; Parkhe, A.P.; Kharat, M.P.; Risbud, A.R.; Bollinger, R.C.; Mehendale, S.M.; Paranjape, R.S.
Aids Care 17(3): 377-385
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0954-0121 PMID: 15832886 DOI: 10.1080/09540120412331299771Document Number: 266178
The present study reports sexual risk factors associated with HIV infection among men attending two sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in Pune, India and compares these behaviours between young and older men. Between April 1998 and May 2000, 1872 STD patients were screened for HIV infection. Data on demographics, medical history and sexual behaviour were collected at baseline. The overall HIV prevalence was 22.2%. HIV risk was associated with being divorced or widowed, less educated, living away from the family, having multiple sexual partners and initiation of sex at an early age. The risk behaviours in younger men were different to older men. Younger men were more likely to report early age of initiation of sex, having friends, acquaintances or commercial sex workers as their regular partners, having premarital sex and bisexual orientation. Young men were more educated and reported condom use more frequently compared with the older men. Similar high HIV prevalence among younger and older men highlights the need for focused targeted interventions aimed at adolescents and young men and also appropriate interventions for older men to reduce the risk of HIV and STD acquisition.