Sexual behavior patterns and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases in adolescent boys in urban slums of Lucknow, north India
Awasthi, S.; Pande, V.K.
Indian Pediatrics 35(11): 1105-1109
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 10216546 Document Number: 644349
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) to assess the sexual behavior patterns and knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among 15-21 year old boys with a goal of developing a community-based reproductive educational health program in India. About 221 boys from 35 Anganwadi centers were interviewed twice; on the first interview the educational, socioeconomic and marital status was determined, while questions about their health, substance abuse, sexual activity, condom use, number of sexual partners, and STD symptoms were asked during the second interview. Findings revealed that premarital sex was practiced by 7.9% and 7.6% of boys aged 18 or younger and over 18, respectively, living in the urban slum areas of Lucknow, North India. The boys engaged in high-risk sexual behavior and had a poor knowledge of STD symptoms and prevention. Furthermore, substance use has been associated with irregular condom use and also with STDs. These findings reveal that there is an urgent need for initiating reproductive health counseling programs targeted at these high-risk adolescents.