A Study of Knowledge of Adolescent Boys of Urban Slum of Delhi regarding Development of Secondary Sexual Characters

Abstract

Background: About 23% of India’s population is in the adolescent age group of 10–19 years. 25% of patients attending government STI clinics are younger than 18 years. Over 50% of all new HIV cases in India are among 10–24 years. Many adolescent boys and girls are sexually active but lack information and skills for self-protection. That is why we need to focus on adolescents. Objectives: To assess the knowledge of adolescent boys regarding development of secondary sexual characters, sequence of development secondary sexual characters, sexually transmitted diseases and methods of population control. Methodology: The 15–19 year-old study subjects were selected from Sunder Nagri (an urban slum). 384 samples were selected from the study population. Systematic random sampling method was used. Data was collected by a self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using frequency, percentages, and inferential statistics. Association between knowledge and demographic variables was found out using Chi-Square test. Results: Majority of the participants had either no knowledge (36%) or partial knowledge (45%) regarding the development of sexual characters and only 4% had excellent knowledge and 15% had good knowledge: No knowledge (51%) about the sequence of development of secondary sexual characters. Only 1% was able to tell about testicular increment in size and pubic hair. Majority of them had partial knowledge regarding names, modes of transmission and prevention of STDs/AIDS; partial knowledge (85%) regarding the methods of population control. There was significant association between knowledge and literacy status of participant, age, and literacy status of father. There was no significant association between knowledge and socio-economic status and religion.