Knowledge level of youth in India regarding human sexuality and AIDS
Tikoo, M.; Bollman, S.R.; Bergen, M.B.
Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy 21(4): 248-254
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0092-623X PMID: 8789506 DOI: 10.1080/00926239508414644Document Number: 533158
493 boys and 397 girls aged 10-17 years, of mean age 13.46 years, responded to a 99-question survey on their knowledge about human sexuality and AIDS. Respondents were grade 6-12 students enrolled at a public school in New Delhi. The sample was representative of all social classes and 55.2% male. 89% identified themselves as Hindu, 4% as Sikh, 2% as Muslim, 1% as Christian, and 3% as secular. Most rated religion as important or very important. The average score on the reproductive knowledge scale was 4.19 out of a possible maximum 8.0. The average score on the AIDS scale was 3.08 out of a possible maximum 7.0. No student achieved the maximum score on the reproductive knowledge scale, but a few did so on the AIDS scale. Boys were more knowledgeable than girls, with knowledge levels increasing by grade.