Attitudes to AIDS and sexual behaviour among a cohort of medical students in Singapore
Singh, K.; Fong, Y.F.; Ratnam, S.S.
Singapore Medical Journal 33(1): 58-62
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-5675 PMID: 1598609 Document Number: 323174
A study was conducted in 1990, to explore attitudes toward AIDS and sexual behavior among a cohort of final year medical students at the National University of Singapore. 181 single students of mean age 22.9 were surveyed, of whom 146 responded. 78.8% lived with parents, were raised under some degree of religious influence, and held strong views on marriage, sexuality, and premarital sex. 94.5% were aware of the 3 basic modes of HIV transmission. 13.7% of respondents were sexually active, of whom 35% had ever used a condom. Only 20% had used a condom during most recent sexual intercourse, while 30% plan to use them during next sexual intercourse. 40% of sexual relations were with casual partners and commercial sex workers. Despite this generally high level of awareness of HIV and AIDS, and the high percentage of sexual relations with casual partners, low condom use was found among these students. The authors conclude that young medical students should be more educated on sexually transmitted diseases and prevention.