Sexual Behaviour and HIV/AIDS Awareness among College Girls: A Case Study

Abstract

Unsafe sex accounts for 87 per cent new HIV infections in India placing young people in the centre of the epidemic. The present study was conducted to analyze the impact of family structure on awareness and opinion about sexual and HIV/AIDS practices among college girls in Jaipur city. Structured interview method was used to gather qualitative and quantitative data. The study finds, that for a large number of respondents of joint families, autonomous behaviour of youths with outsiders and uncontrolled media are the major sources of spreading pre-marital sex in the general population whereas the respondents of nuclear families felt that communication gap between parents and their children and use of sex as a stress-buster instrument led to pre-marital sex primarily. The study concludes that today’s youth believes in upholding the cultural traditions by having faith in the marital bond, disapproving of pre-marital sex and abiding by social code of conduct. Lack of correct information about ‘safe sex’, ignorance about HIV testing and views such as ‘AIDS can’t happen to me’ can put them at risk. Joint families are the source of re/affirmation of cultural values, traditions and prove quite pragmatic when the issue of HIV testing of the respondents and the proposed boys arises. Nuclear family structure provides more opportunities to youth to discuss about their psycho-social problems. It is recommended that a programme should be developed for the parents so that they could come out of their cocoons and provide timely solutions to their growing children. Cultural engagements and sensitivity among youth is the need of the hour.