Sociological Perspective of Adolescent’s Sexual Behaviour

 

Dr. K. Parthasarathy

 

Assistant Professor in Social Work, Jamal Mohamed College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli. Tamilnadu, India

 

ABSTRACT:

The purpose of the present investigation was to analyse the extent of awareness among the adolescents about the physical changes occur during the puberty, assessment of their sexual behaviour and to analyse the level of awareness about sex organ and reproduction among adolescents. The study also intended to assess the level of awareness about sex education.  The universe for the present study is students of staying in Backward Class Hostel, Tiruchirappalli District. The total population of the study on record shows 148 students, out of which the researcher had drawn a sample of 100 respondents. They were selected through simple random sampling technique by adopting lottery method. The data on the subject were collected with the help of structured interview schedule prepared by the researchers, which clearly revealed that majority of the respondents were emotionally turbulent and the most of them were not aware about genetic changes occurred during the adolescence. The study also found that most of the respondents were not aware about physical growth during their adolescence period.  More than half of the respondents (68.8 percent) had knowledge about location of penis, sex organ in the human body. One third of the respondents practiced heterosexual behaviour and homosexual behaviour. This study highlights few suggestions which include appointment of social workers in schools and colleges educational curricula, to cater to information related to sexuality with scientific base and counseling to the younger generation. 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Adolescence represents a transition from childhood to adulthood with features including secondary sexual growth, changes in hormonal milieu, emotional, cognitive and psychological development (Brooks-gunn, 1997). Adolescents are usually adventurous in all spheres of human endeavours including sexual practices. Adolescents (10-19 years) in India represent over 1/5^th of total population. A large number of them are out of school and college, get married early, work in vulnerable situations, sexually active and are exposed to peers pressure. These factors have serious social, economic and public health implications (Jejeebhoy, 2000). Adolescents are not a homogenous group. Their situation varies by age, sex, marital status, class, religion and cultural context. This calls for interventions that are flexible and responsible for their growth scenario. It is important to influence the health seeking behaviour of the adolescents as their situation will be central in determining India’s health, mortality, morbidity and the population growth scenario.

 

 

 

Some of the public health challenges for adolescents include pregnancy, excess risk of maternal and infant mortality, STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections), RTIs (Reproductive Tract Infections) and the rapidly rising incidence of HIV infections in this age group (Leland, and Barth, 1992).

 

Recent WHO reports showed that many of them engage in risky sexual activity without protection and most had their debut through a subtle coercion by their partner. This practice commonly resulted in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), human immunodeficiency virus, unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion. The following reasons has been advanced for the above observations, these include; high poverty level, adoption of western norm of sexual liberty, gradual erosion of traditional norms/values, lack of parental control, mass media, urbanization and tourism (World Health Organization 1989).

 

Sexuality issues have been one of the most fundamental aspects of human existence, which is directly related to both the physical and psychosocial well-being of an individual (Mawar, et al., 1998). Psychologists have always believed that boys and girls achieved sexual maturity early in adolescence and physical maturity by the end of it (Abraham, 1980). Sexual health is seen as the integration of the physical, emotional, intellectual and social aspect of one’s sexual beings in such a way that are positively enriching and enhancing personality, communication and love (WHO, 1989). Although, sexuality reflects the integral joyful part of humans with biological, social, physiological, spiritual, ethical, and cultural dimensions, it also encompasses growth and development, human reproduction, anatomy, physiology, masturbation, family life, pregnancies, childbirth, parenthood, sexual response, sexual orientation, contraception, abortion, sexual abuse, HIV/AIDS, and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) (Action health Incorporated, 1996). In a pluralistic society like ours, attitude about adolescent sexuality differ not only by ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion and geographic regions, but, also vary widely within individual families and communities (Senderowitz, 2000).

 

The reproductive health of adolescents is of growing concern today. The Programme of Action adopted at the International Conference on Population and Development, held at Cairo in 1994, stresses the importance of addressing adolescent sexual and reproductive health issues and promoting responsible sexual and reproductive behaviour (Mawar, et al 1998). The reproductive health needs of adolescents have been largely ignored by the existing health services. Therefore, there is a need to provide such services and to undertake research in understanding adolescent sexual behaviour and reproductive health (Sorenson, 1973). There are 300 million young people in India age 10-24. They comprise 30 percent of India’s total population. The health-related experiences, attitudes and behavior of these youth are intimately linked to their social, educational and economic aspirations and options, which will have a strong impact on future Indian society. Unfortunately, the unique developmental, sexual and reproductive health needs of this segment of the Indian population are poorly understood and under-served (Bhende, 1994).

 

It is important to recognize the growing incidence of premarital sexual activity among adolescents, owing to the widening gap between age at menarche and age at marriage. As most acts of premarital sexual intercourse are unprotected, sexually active adolescents are increasingly at risk of contracting and transmitting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS (Adhikar and Taman, 2009). In addition, young women are particularly vulnerable to coerced sexual intercourse as a result of gender power imbalances. Sexually experienced adolescents are typically unaware of the consequences of unprotected sexual intercourse and are poorly informed of their sexuality and means of protecting themselves, often leading to unwanted pregnancy and abortion (Jejeebhoy, 2000). While pre-marital sexual behaviour among adolescents and youth remain poorly explored topics in India, the available evidence suggests that between 20 and 30 percent of all males and up to 10 percent of all females are sexually active during adolescence before marriage (Cyranowski, & Andersen, 1998; Jejeebhoy, 2000). Sexual awareness seems to be largely superficial. Social attitudes clearly favour cultural norms of premarital chastity particularly for females. Double standards exist whereby unmarried adolescent boys are far more likely than adolescent girls to be sexually active; they are also more likely to approve of premarital sexual relations for themselves; their movements are less likely to be supervised; and they have more opportunities to engage in sexual relations. Sexual activity is frequently risky – casual sex and relations with sex workers are often reported by young males (NACO, 2001). Moreover, condom use is erratic, and sexually active young people are increasingly confronted with unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infection and unwanted sex. Typically, young females have limited decision-making power in their sexual relationships (Jejeebhoy, 2000). Given this picture, there is a need to identify factors that may be said to protect adolescents from risky sexual behaviour and design programmes that foster protective behaviours.

 

 

The literature would suggest that three sets of underlying factors protecting young people from engaging in unsafe or unwanted sex. The first is the adolescent’s own self-efficacy, including awareness, the extent to which gender double standards are held, and the ability to communicate and negotiate. The second is the nature of the service environment and the extent to which services are accessible, acceptable and affordable in meeting youth needs, with providers who are not judgmental, and provide confidentiality and privacy. The third is the supportiveness of the environment – here a growing body of literature would suggest that “connections with parents” or interaction with and supervision by parents and communication with parents about sexual matters are leading protective factors (Senderowitz, 2000). Many in India would argue that strong parental controls on adolescents’ behaviours and activities have limited opportunities for sexual activity particularly among adolescent females but also among young males (Bhende, 1994). The objective of this paper is to shed light on late adolescents’ sexual behaviours, to analyse the extent of awareness about their physical changes occur during the puberty and to analyse the level of awareness about sex organ and reproduction. The study also intended to identify the misconception about sex and to asses the pre-marital romantic relations and physical intimacy among the adolescents.

 

METHODS AND MATERIALS:

A cross-sectional study (both quantitative and qualitative methods) was conducted to asses the level of awareness among the adolescents about the physical changes occur during the puberty, to understand of their sexual behaviour and to analyse their level of awareness about sex organ and reproductive health. The study also intended to asses the misconception about sex and to know the pre-marital romantic relations and physical intimacy among the adolescents. The source population for the study was all first year under graduate male students in Tiruchirappalli District who were residing at Backward class Hostel during the study period.  The study population was students of first year under graduate aged 18-19 years. The total population of the study on record shows 148 first year under graduate students, out of which the researchers has drawn a sample of 100 male students. They were selected through simple random sampling technique by adopting lottery method. A structured, pre-tested and self-administrated questionnaire was used for quantitative data collection. A total of six personal in-depth interview and focus group discussions were conducted to supplement the quantitative survey in the study area.  The focus group discussions based on semi-structured open-ended questions which enabled the discussants to reflect on sexual experience and perceived determining factors for premarital sexual experience. The participants were in the age range of 18-19 years. The moderator tape-recorded the discussants’ ideas, which were later on transcribed and translated under selected themes based on the question guides and summarized manually.  The participants for the discussion were selected purposively.

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS:

SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESPONDENTS

A vast majority (91 percent) of the respondents were belongs to age group of 19 years. 42 percent of the respondents were middle born in the family child position. A vast majority (91 percent) of the respondents were belongs to nuclear family type. More than half (55 percent) of the respondents were belongs to arts group in under graduation. All the respondents were come from urban areas. About one-fifths (22 percent) of the respondents’ fathers were illiterate, and 37 percent of the respondents’ mothers were illiterate. The majority, 42 percent of fathers were private employees while about one-thirds of mothers were also worked in a private concern.  Income-wise, the majority (68 percent) of the respondents were from middle class families, while 14 percent and18 percent were from poor and rich families, respectively.

 

The table 1 reveals that the awareness of the physical growth during adolescence period among the adolescents, a sizeable 80 percent of the respondents agree that girls reached physical maturity earlier than boys, 73 percent of respondents admitted that the girls and boys were mutually attracted, more than half (63 percent) of the respondents seem to agree that an adult is emotionally turbulent, 77 percent of the respondents were aware about their own reproductive abilities and 68 percentage of the adolescents were agree that a girl can be change as a adult girl, after the adolescent stage. A majority (72 percent) of the respondents agree that girls reach adolescence with the onset of menstruation. In viewing physical changes during the late adolescent’s stage, a sizeable 81 percent of the respondents aware about their physical changes in this period and a majority (60 percent) of the respondents share the view that the size of sex organ does not determine the manliness of a person.

 

 

TABLE NO. 1: PSYCHO – PHYSICAL GROWTH AWARENESS DURING THE ADOLESCENCE PERIOD

S. No	Variables	Categories	Frequency (n=100)	Percentage
1	Girls reach physical maturity earlier	Yes No Don’t Know	80 10 10	80 10 10
2	Boys and girls mutually attracted	Yes No Don’t Know	73 13 14	73 13 14
3	Adult is emotionally turbulent	Yes No Don’t Know	63 24 13	63 24 13
4	Person acquires reproductive abilities	Yes No Don’t Know	77 13 10	77 13 10
5	Changes of adult girl, changes of girl during adolescence	Yes No Don’t Know	68 12 20	68 12 20
6	Girls reaches adolescence with the onset of menstruation	Yes No Don’t Know	72 19 9	72 19 9
7	Girls should not participate games during menstrual	Yes No Don’t Know	20 64 16	20 64 16
8	Change of body when he reaches adolescence	Yes No Don’t Know	81 10 9	81 10 9
9	Wet dreaming is a natural phenomenon	Yes No Don’t Know	66 18 16	66 18 16
10	Size of the penis determined the manliness of a person	Yes No Don’t Know	17 60 23	17 60 23

 

TABLE NO. 2: REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL HEALTH AWARENESS

S. No	Variables	Categories	Frequency (n=100)	Percentage
1	Where does Sperm cells are made?	Testicles Penis Stomach Not know	54 22 8 16	54 22 8 16
2	Where ovum is made?	Ovary Fallopian tube Not know	76 14 10	76 14 10
3	Location of penis	Inside the body Outside the body Not know	16 65 19	16 65 19
4	What is fertilization?	Process in mans body Process of ovum meets sperm cell Another name of reproduction None of these	10 75 9 6	10 75 9 6
5	Where does the fertilization take place?	In uterus In testicles In fallopian tube Not know	55 15 25 5	55 15 25 5
6	Which way child comes out during delivery?	Vagina Urinal way Anus Not know	71 24 1 4	71 24 1 4
7	Who play dominant role in sex determination?	Father Mother Not Know	71 15 14	71 15 14
8	Awareness of sexual and reproductive matters	A woman can get pregnant the very first time she has sexual intercourse	19	19
		The condom is a suitable method of preventing pregnancy	85	85
		Oral pills are a method of preventing pregnancy	75	75
		Withdrawal can prevent pregnancy	51	51
		HIV/AIDS cannot be transmitted by kissing	83	83
		Condoms can protect a person against HIV	91	91

 

 

In order to assess students’ awareness of sexual and reproductive matters, a series of statements were posed, and they were asked to indicate their perception. The statements and students’ responses are reported in table 2. It depicts that the level of awareness regarding the reproductive process in the human body, half (54 percent) of the respondents consider that sperm cells are made in testicles and a sizeable 76 percent of the respondents opinioned that ovum is made in ovary.  Regarding the respondents knowledge about sex organ in the human body, 65 percent of the respondents consider that the location of penis was outside the body. According to awareness regarding the process of fertilization the highest, (75 percent) number of the respondents apt to say that fertilization is a process of ovum meets sperm cells, more than half (55 percent) of the respondents seen to say that fertilization takes place in uterus and 71 percent of the respondents have had rightly pointed out that the child comes out through vagina. In viewing the idea of the respondents on sex determination, 71 percent rightly expressed that father plays a dominant role in the sex determination. Most (83 percent) of the students rejected the common misconception that HIV can be transmitted by kissing and remaining 17 percent of the students held this misconception.  Similarly, while the majority (91 percent) of students was aware of the role of condoms played in protecting against HIV, as many as one-quarter (15 percent) of students were not aware of the protective role of condoms, as indicated in Table 2. In viewing the awareness about contraceptive methods, the majority of the adolescents were aware of the role of condoms played in protecting unwanted pregnancy (85 percent), oral pills (75 percent) and withdrawal in preventing pregnancy (51 percent). Awareness was particularly limited about the fact that women can become pregnant the first time they have sex, indeed, just 19 percent of late adolescents reported awareness. This findings were corroborates with other Studies of HIV/AIDS preventive and control office, 2000 observed that adolescents have limited knowledge about sexual and reproductive health and know little about the natural process of puberty.  This lack of knowledge about reproductive health may have grave consequences (Baird, 1993).

 

The table 3 focuses on students’ pre-marital sexual relationships with a partner belonging to the opposite sex, and the extent to which these relationships were unsafe. Although more than one-thirds (36 percent) of students agreed that it was acceptable for unmarried youth to have opposite sex romantic partners. In total, moreover, 30 percent of the students have had experienced physical intimacy, and 25 percent of the students reported engaging in sexual relations with an opposite sex partner. A look at those who reported having a romantic partner reveals that physical intimacy was not experienced by all. Those reporting any kind of intimacy varied considerably from kissing on the lips (25 percent), to touching private parts (22 percent) and to engaging in sexual relations (25 percent). For example, among those male students who had a girlfriend (75 percent), one-thirds (25 percent) of the students have had kissed the girlfriend on the lips, about the same one-fifths (22 percent) reported touching each other’s private parts and 25 percent had engaged in sexual relations. We note the possibility that despite the anonymous reporting format, some students may have under-reported any sensitive behaviour.

 

From the focused group discussion among the male adolescents, it was observed that the several students experienced their reasons for not having a girlfriend, or not engaging in sexual relations with their girlfriends. Many reiterated the predominant attitude that if a boy has a girlfriend or has sex with opposite partners, his life was ruined and they had spoiled their lives as they did not do well in studies. In this focus group discussion the questions were also posed on whether a peer had an opposite sex romantic partner and had engaged in sexual relations with that partner. Acknowledging that comparisons must be made cautiously, since each respondent may have more than one friend and that many respondents may be reporting romantic or sexual activity amongst the same peer group, comparisons are illustrative. One-thirds of the adolescents reported that they had an opposite sex romantic partner and engaged in pre-marital sexual relations. Moe than half of the respondents know their friends had habits of sexual intercourse with opposite sex and a very few of the respondents have had habits of masturbation. It is also observed from the group discussion among the adolescents one-forth of the respondents had sex in the last six months and among them half of the respondents took proper precautionary measures  during sexual intercourse. According to habits of watching adult movies, majority of the respondents (46 percent) have had habits of watching adult movies and 45 percent of the respondents have had habits of reading sex magazine. On the other hand, young people often face enormous pressure to engage in sex, especially from peers, exposure to unlicensed erotic video films and the desire for economic gain. As the results of this, a significant number of adolescents are involved in sexual activities at an early age (Taffa, et al 2002).

 

In this regard previous studies support the view that substantial proportions of students indulge in sexual activities as well as risky sexual behaviour. Sex with commercial sex workers, multiple sex partners, and inconsistence use of condom with non-regular partner was common among the college students. A very few students have had used condom at the first sexual intercourse. Young people are exposed to health hazards due to their sexual behaviour (Adhikar, and Taming, 2009; Caron, et al 1993). Findings of this study corroborate those of previous studies among college students concerning the prevalence of romantic and sexual relationships among male and female students. Most studies have been descriptive and few have focused on the correlates of sexual behaviour (Leland and Barth, 1992; Baird, 1993). A study of sexual experience among 966 low-income college-going students in Mumbai (Abraham and Kumar, 1999) noted that the sexually experienced were significantly more likely than others to differ on individual characteristics: for example they were more likely to have access to resources, hold positive attitudes towards pre-marital sex, report more social interaction with peers and be exposed to pornographic materials. Factors such as parental restrictiveness, family religiosity and income, played no role in influencing whether or not these students had experienced sex (Sujay, 2009).

In another study conducted amongst adolescents in a slum setting in Pune city and the surrounding rural areas, the level of self-confidence and peer interaction were significantly associated with reports of experiences of romantic and sexual relations; here while parental restrictiveness was not associated with either set of relations, the extent to which youth reported close interaction with parents was inversely associated with these experiences (Alexander, et al 2007). Finally, a study of adolescents in a Delhi slum setting, using entirely qualitative methods, reports, similarly, that parental restrictiveness does not deter young people from forming romantic partnerships or engaging in sexual relations.  Questions were also posed on whether a peer had an opposite sex romantic partner and had engaged in sexual relations with that partner. Acknowledging that comparisons must be made cautiously, since each respondent may have more than one friend and that many respondents may be reporting romantic or sexual activity amongst the same peer group, comparisons are illustrative. They show that while 32 percent and 54 percent of female and male students, respectively, reported that they had an opposite sex romantic partner, many more-57 percent and 79 percent, respectively-reported that a peer had an opposite-sex romantic partner. Gender differences in reports of pre-marital sex among peers were also wide (Mehra, Savithri and Coutinho, 2002).

 

 

 

TABLE NO. 3: PRE-MARITAL ROMANTIC RELATIONS AND PHYSICAL INTIMACY INCLUDING SEX WITH IN ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS

* Non-addictive frequency and percentage

 

 

 

TABLE NO. 4: PERCEPTION ON MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SEX

S. No	Variables	Categories	Frequency(n=100)	Percentage
1	Sexual absentees is the only method for birth control	Agree Disagree Not know	13 61 26	13 61 26
2	A girl cannot get pregnant if she has sex only once	Agree Disagree Not know	21 69 10	21 69 10
3	A girl cannot get pregnant if she has sex during her periods	Agree Disagree Not know	23 42 35	23 42 35
4	A girl can get pregnant even if a boy doesn’t ejaculate or come inside her	Agree Disagree Not know	16 65 19	16 65 19
5	STI can be cured if the infected has sex with a virgin	Agree Disagree Not know	11 74 15	11 74 15
6	Female determine the sex of the baby	Agree Disagree Not know	5 80 15	5 80 15
7	Loss of semen through a wet dream makes a boys weak	Agree Disagree Not know	11 74 15	11 74 15
8	Condoms reduces pleasure during sexual intercourse	Agree Disagree Not know	26 46 38	26 46 38
9	Sexual relationship can reduce your stress	Agree Disagree Not know	20 35 45	20 35 45

 

The table 4 clearly revealed that more than half of the respondents were aware about various aspects of sex and they were disagreed the  following statements such as  sexual absentees is the only method of birth control (61 percent), a girl cannot get pregnant if she has sex only once (69 percent), a girl cannot get pregnant if she has sex during her periods (42 percent), a girl can get pregnant even if a boy doesn’t ejaculate or come inside her (65 percent), STI can be cured if the infected has sex with a virgin (74 percent), female determine the sex of the baby (80 percent), Loss of semen through a wet dream makes a boys weak (74 percent), Condoms reduces pleasure during sexual intercourse (46 percent) and Sexual relationship can reduce your stress (35 percent). The same findings were also observed from the in-depth interview and focus group discussions among the adolescents. In-depth interviews shows that a lack of awareness and highlight the extent to which misconceptions existed among late adolescents, including those who were sexually experienced. Two-thirds of the adolescents, those who are participated in the personal interview agreed that: if a girl washes her vagina after intercourse, she will not get pregnant, sexual absentees is the only method of birth control, a girl cannot get pregnant, if she has sex only once, a girl cannot get pregnant, if she has sex during her periods, a girl can get pregnant even, if a boy does not ejaculated or come inside her, STI can be cured, if the infected person has sex with a

virgin, female only determine the sex of the baby, loss of semen through a wet dream makes a boys week, condoms reduces pleasure during sexual intercourse and sexual relationship can reduce your stress. Further this table revealed that minimum percent of the respondents not aware about all the statements above mentioned. The sex education programme is a suitable measure to eradicate their misconception about sex.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

This study has important programmatic and policy implications. Romantic partnerships and physical intimacy were reported by considerable proportions of male students. At the same time, awareness of sexual and reproductive matters was limited and attitudes to premarital sex typically gendered. In this context, it is critical that policies and programmes for students work towards ensuring that in forming partnerships, youth are fully informed and equipped to make safe choices. Our findings suggest at least four areas for intervention. For one, evidence suggests that students are not well informed about matters relating to sex and relationships, and leading sources of information are the media and peers. Few, moreover, had been exposed to sex education. These kinds of findings call for sex education among students, both while they are in school, as in the school-based AIDS education programme, and while in college. It is important that colleges in Tamilnadu organise sex education programmes that inform students not only about HIV/AIDS but also about relationships and the need for gender equitable attitudes and relationships. 

Second, findings have underscored the links between peer contact and sexual experience. At the same time, peer pressure to engage in sexual relations was apparent and may have resulted in students engaging in romantic and sexual relations without being fully prepared. Leadership development programmes are needed at the college level that enable youth to counter adverse peer pressures; at the same time, peer-led programmes at the college level may be an important and acceptable way whereby students may obtain information, contraceptive supplies and counselling referrals.

 

Third, evidence calls for programmes that address parents and encourage parent-child connections. Programmes are needed that break down parental inhibitions and encourage communication from an early age, including in age-appropriate ways, on sexual matters while their children are still young. Parents themselves may not be fully aware of sexual and reproductive matters and efforts are needed to raise their levels of awareness and support them. Parents must be informed, for example, that strict controls on children’s behaviour and authoritarian parenting styles may prevent sexual relations among them but do not ensure that safe sex is practiced; they also must be made aware that students who co-reside with their parents are no less likely than those who reside independently to engage in sexual relations. Parent-teacher forums may be a good way of imparting awareness and parenting skills to parents of school and college going youth. Other methods may include, for example, parents and students to participate in completing case studies and quizzes related to sexual and reproductive health topics; seminars, lectures and discussions may be held for students’ parents, in which their communication skills are sharpened and awareness of adolescent reproductive health matters are discussed. Parent-teacher meetings may, likewise, provide opportunities for developing communication and parenting skills of parents; schools and colleges may develop forums for parent-son/daughter interaction and use these forums to discuss sexual and reproductive matters. Finally, selected parents may be identified as peer educators and provide support to others in their respective communities.

 

CONCLUSION:

This study, exploring the extent of and factors associated with pre-marital sexual relations among unmarried college students in Tiruchirappalli district, builds on previous research and makes several new and important contributions to understanding the levels and patterns of premarital relationships among college-going students. The study included a survey of 100 male students of undergraduates resides in Backward Class Hostel of Tiruchirappalli District, as well as focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with students.  Findings suggest that attitudes to pre-marital sex were typically gendered, with students far more likely to condone it among men.  At the same time, awareness of sexual and reproductive matters was relatively limited and fewer than half of all students had been exposed to sexuality education in school or college. Again, students were more vulnerable and considerably more poorly informed about, for example, HIV and the protective role of condoms; however, neither group was well informed about the fact that a woman can become pregnant the first time she has sex, or that condoms and oral pills were effective methods of contraception. Against this backdrop of limited awareness and gendered attitudes towards pre-marital sex, findings stress that the development of pre-marital romantic relationships are fairly widespread among college students. Overall, over half of students reported that they have had a girlfriend. Sexual relations were reported by considerably fewer (25 percent) of male students. About one-thirds of sexually active students reported consistent condom use during sexual intercourse.

 

The findings of the present study indicate the urgent need for education interventions. Correct scientific information should be disseminated to adolescents both in formal and informal settings so that they do not pick up sexual myths and misconceptions from their peers. This study revealed that 25 percent of the respondents were sexually active. It is possible that the others may not have been very frank in replying to queries. In spite of this we must not underestimate the unmet need of adolescents and thereby understand that teenagers are facing a lot of medical, social and mental problems during their grow to maturity. These problems will diminish by taking their needs seriously and teaching adequate lessons to improve life skills concerning the field of sexuality, responsibility and relationship. This will enhance self-esteem for all and empowerment of the women in particular. Reckon with age, comprehensive sexual education with attention on reproductive health and rights, awareness of mutual respect, intimacy and shared responsibility in a relationship has to be completed with guidance through cultural and social issues of gender inequities and this program needs to be wide spread. When comprehensive sexual education will be implemented countrywide, this will result in economic and social benefits for the whole society and government through prevention of teen pregnancy and ill-health by youngsters. Not only strategies on reducing risks of pregnancy, STIs an HIV/AIDS infections are needed, but also on empowerment of the youth concerning the freedom of choice whether to have sex, at what moment and with whom, while having access to affordable contraceptives and safe abortions when necessary. Although it would be advisable to start sexual education at young age at home, in practice stress and misunderstanding could rise, caused by cultural aspects and lack of knowledge at family level. This shows the need of governmental support to develop and implement comprehensive sexual education and the need to implement this programme in schools and colleges as well on community level. Besides the reform of knowledge and skills, adolescents need improved access to contraceptives and empathic health providers taking them serious, treating their issues confidential, without discrimination and according to the human rights. Parental involvement, a supportive faculty members and empathic health workers working with adolescents would contribute to a greater success.

 

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