Sexual Behavior of Adolescent Students in Chandigarh and Their Perceptions Regarding Family Life Education

Overview

Journal J Family Med Prim Care

Specialty Public Health

Date 2018 Jan 6

PMID 29302554

Citations 3

Authors

Dinesh Kumar

Naveen Krishan Goel

Ravleen Kaur Bakshi

Manoj Kumar Sharma

Abhik K Ghosh

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: With rapidly changing lifestyle and exposure to the Internet and mass media, lifestyle and sexual behavior of adolescent students are also changing rapidly.

Objectives: To investigate the sexual behavior of adolescent students and to study misconceptions prevailing among them.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 1022 adolescent students aged 14-19 years as a part of an Indian Council of Medical Research sponsored survey. Sexual behavior explored by interview method. Logistic regression analysis for finding correlates.

Results: Intimate friendship was reported by 19.2% respondents. The sexual behavior included 89% exposure to sex-related material, 74.7% were aware of sexual intercourse. Awareness regarding at least one contraceptive was found among 95.5% (94.5% of condoms and 67.2% of emergency contraception). About 6% respondents reported some sex-related problems and 2.5% of all respondents consulted some doctors for these problems. Awareness of HIV/AIDS was quite high (about 99%), and 96.4% of them were of the opinion that it is spread through sexual intercourse. Knowledge regarding transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) through sexual contact was found among 89.2% respondents. Avoidance/abstinence from sex (84.7%), faithful to one partner (81.7), and use of barrier methods (90.3%) was main reported preventive measures for STI's. About 33% want that the discussion about sex should be open and frank, and 69.4% showed the need of sex education in the schools mostly by doctors.

Conclusions: Sexual behavior of adolescent students is changing, and awareness about sex acts is also increasing. There is likelihood of indulging in risky behavior by adolescents. Family life education was felt necessary mainly by qualified medical staff.

Citing Articles

Impact of digital exposure on premarital sex and contraception use among unmarried Indian youth.

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Risky sexual behaviors and their associated factors within high school students from Collège Saint André in Kigali, Rwanda: An institution-based cross-sectional study.

Ndagijimana E, Biracyaza E, Nzayirambaho M Front Reprod Health. 2023; 5:1029465.

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Ahuja V, Patnaik S, Gurchandandeep , Lugani Y, Sharma N, Goyal S J Family Med Prim Care. 2019; 8(10):3350-3355.

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