SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIOUR AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS IN ADOLESCENTS ATTENDING STI CLINIC
Journal Title: Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences - Year 2017, Vol 6, Issue 76
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescents and young people constitute 31% of Indian population. Socioeconomic and political reforms depend on the healthier development of young people. In this transition period from childhood to adulthood, young people face significant risks pertaining to sexual and reproductive health. In addition to behavioural risk factors, anatomically and biologically also they are at increased risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Human Immunodeficiency virus disease. The aim of this study is to know the sexual risk factors and prevalence of STI/HIV among young people aged 10-24 years, attending STI clinic of Dermatology and Venereology Outpatient Department of Medical College Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a retrospective study of adolescent and young people aged 10-24 years, attending STI clinic, Dermatology and Venereology Department of Medical College Hospital during 2014-2016. The demographic profile, sexual behaviour pattern, prevalence of STI and HIV were analysed from the medical records of the patient. RESULTS Out of 5807 new clients who have attended STI clinic during 2014-2016, the adolescents and young people were 247. Among these, male clients were 193, females were 93 with 1 transgender. Among the study group, 37.7% were of adolescent age group between 10-19 years, 62.3% were young adults in the age group of 20-24 years. Most of them were of urban domicile; predominantly with high school level education. 45% of them had no sexual exposure and attended DVL OPD for screening or with dermatological complaints. Premarital sex behaviour was found among 32% of study group. Premarital sex behaviour was found only among males of this study group, mostly it was homosexual behaviour. For young females, the sexual exposure was mainly with marital contacts. Premarital sexual exposure among young females of this study group was not found, except one who was a female sex worker. Genital skin lesion was the predominant complaint of males with sexual exposure, and genital discharge was the predominant complaint among female clients. The prevalence of STI is about 28% and HIV prevalence is about 7.2%. Common STI found among males was genital scabies and that of females was genital candidiasis. Most of cases of HIV [67%] among this study group were due to vertical transmission. CONCLUSION Adolescence is the transition period where the physical, biological, mental and emotional development of the individual will have influence over later life. Young people are at increased risk of STI/HIV. Sexual risk-taking behaviour and especially same sex behaviour is found commonly among the young males of this study, reiterating the need of age appropriate sex education.
Authors and Affiliations
Vasuki Shanmugam
Keywords
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- EP ID EP267464
- DOI 10.14260/Jemds/2017/1176
- Views 78
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