Pattern of sexual behavior in adolescents and young adults attending STD clinic in a tertiary care center in South India

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is an alarming increase in the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescents and young adults of our country. The aim of our study is to depict the current pattern of sexual behavior in this vulnerable sector of population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed by reviewing the medical records of 1140 adolescents and young adults from January 2015 to June 2015. Demographic and sexual behavior data were collected in a predesigned format. The outcome variables such as age of coital debut, sexual promiscuity, and knowledge about condom usage were statistically analyzed among the study population. RESULTS: The male: female ratio was 1.6:1. Nearly 78.2% were unmarried and 60% have completed their high school level education. Mean age of coital debut was 21.1 years in males and 18.6 years in females and 201 (17.6%) were practicing risky sexual behavior. Homosexuality was observed in 109 (33.4%) men. Furthermore, 149 (13.1%) had exposure to commercial sex workers. Prevalence of STIs was 99 (8.7%). The overall condom usage at least once was reported only by eighty (23.5%) adolescents. Complete knowledge about condom usage was found to be very low (8%). CONCLUSION: Our study reports a high incidence of risky sexual behavior as well as a lack of complete knowledge about safe sex practices in the study population. The need of the hour is to implement sex education program at high school level to prevent STIs in this vulnerable population.