Abstract
Promoting positive identity and seeking early support for gender, sex and sexuality (GSS) issues among youth is vital. Understanding and addressing factors associated withGSS among them is critical. We assessed four-year case records (January 2017–December 2020) of all first visit youth mental health promotion clinic (YMHPC) clients (15–35 years) for factors associated with GSS issues in Karnataka. Overall, prevalence of GSS issues was 1.8% (189/10,340). Increased risk of GSS issues was observed among clients reporting suicidality (AOR = 4.27, 95% CI = 2.70–6.74) and relationship issues (AOR = 3.63, 95% CI = 2.36–5.57), followed by issues of safety (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.72–3.81), personality (AOR = 2.48, 95% CI = 1.60–3.85), health and lifestyle (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.77–4.19), smokers (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.24–4.27), and those who felt depressed (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.43–3.09) and worthless (AOR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.28–3.39). Clients aged 21–25 years (AOR = 1.80,95% CI = 1.27–2.54), male (AOR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.20–2.46) and who had been married (AOR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.51–3.57) had a higher risk of GSS issues than those aged 15–20 years and other counterparts, respectively. Clients who drank alcohol (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.30–0.81) had reduced risk of GSS issues. The findings re-iterate the importance of early recognition of factors (essential precursors) of GSS issues among youth. The study highlights the importance of promoting awareness and improving primordial prevention of possible GSS issues in later life. This study has important implications on youth mental health promotion programs, especially in countries like India.
Highlights
16% of the world’s total population (~1.2 billion) is youth (15–24 years) [1].India has the largest youth population in the world [2] with nearly 40% aged between13 and 35 years [3]
The present study aims to assess factors associated with gender, sex and sexuality issues amongst youth attending youth mental health promotion clinics in
A majority of the clients reporting gender, sex and sexuality issues had more than 10 years of schooling (72%) and hadnever been married (72.48%)
Summary
16% of the world’s total population (~1.2 billion) is youth (15–24 years) [1].India has the largest youth population in the world [2] with nearly 40% aged between13 and 35 years [3]. 16% of the world’s total population (~1.2 billion) is youth (15–24 years) [1]. Youth in Karnataka (a South Indian state) constitute nearly 39% of the population [2]. This period is characterized by rapid physical, psychological and social development and maturation [4] that affect the gender, sex and sexuality(GSS). Sex and sexuality encompass a wide range of topics like gender roles, perspectives, discrimination, gender-based violence, child sexual abuse, sexually transmitted diseases/infections, etc. These issues need to be addressed during adolescence and youth to ensure healthy adulthood.
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