Knowledge about Reproductive Health and Sexual Activity and Condom Use in the Age of AIDS: A Study among Male College Students in Bombay, India

Gurumurthy Rangaiyan, Population Council

In the context of increasing sexual activity among college students in the age of HIV/AIDS, a survey of about 1500 never married male college students enrolled in 15 colleges were surveyed to investigate factors that determine the risk taking sexual behaviour in the context of HIV/AIDS. About 15 per cent ever had experienced sexual intercourse with an opposite sex partner. Multiple sex partners are widespread; the common partners are friends, neighbours and sex workers. Majority had never used condoms. Logistic analysis show respondents exposed erotic materials, have sexually experienced peers, consume alcohol more frequently and who perceived their family are more restrictive and having low knowledge about sexuality with positive attitude towards sex are closely associated with risky sexual behaviour. The need for a comprehensive sex education is evident from the present findings, as against the belief that sex education in the formal system will encourage permissiveness and promiscuity.