Factors influencing sexual initiation, multiple partners and condom use among male slum youth in Pune, India

Abstract

This study examines the factors that influence sexual behaviours among young unmarried males living in urban slums in India, a population characterised by high vulnerability to STI and HIV infections. Data were collected from 600 unmarried male slum youth to examine the relationships between three outcomes of heterosexual behaviour (age at sexual initiation, number of sexual partners and condom use at first intercourse) and factors within the family/household social environment, peer environment and individual level during the respondents' formative years. Regression analyses found factors within the family and peer-level domains such as growing up in a two-parent household, having adequate levels of parental supervision, experiencing violence in the home and having peers who drank significantly impact the age of sexual debut and the subsequent number of lifetime partners. Condom use at first intercourse appears to be significantly influenced by age of sexual debut and type of sexual partner. These findings indicate that in low-resource urban settings, the influence of family and friends as role models can play an important role in determining the initiation of sexual behaviour among male youth and in making behaviour choices that result in favourable health outcomes.

Individual- and Family-Level Determinants of Risky Sexual Behavior Among Swedish- and Foreign-Born Young Adults 18–30 Years of Age, Residing in Skåne, Sweden

“…Kastbom et al found that Swedish adolescents living with both biological parents or alternating between them were more likely to postpone their sexual debut. Other studies in both western and non-western countries have previously found that living in a two-parent family was a protective factor for young people (Haglund & Fehring, 2010 ; Potdar & Mmari, 2011 ), whereas impaired families or unstable family environment was associated with risky sexual behavior and early age of sexual debut (Goldberg, 2013 ; Sheppard, Garcia, & Sear, 2014 ; Tsitsika et al, 2010 ).…”

Correlates of Suicide Ideation and Attempt among Youth Living in the Slums of Kampala

“…This problem may be particularly salient in Uganda which has the highest estimated per capita consumption of alcohol use world-wide [35]. Trading sex for food, shelter and money and other risky sexual behaviors have been raised as a key concern among vulnerable street youth, not only in sub-Saharan Africa [36], but also elsewhere [37]. Reports of trading sex is typically associated with an urgency of finding food and shelter or money for basic needs and is more commonly reported among street children.…”

Riesgo sexual en adolescentes según la edad de debut sexual.

“…Se consideró DST a la primera relación sexual con penetración anterior a los 15 años, coincidiendo con la edad media de debut sexual de los participantes y con estudios anteriores (Olesen et al, 2011;Pettifor, Van der Straten, Dubar, Shiboski y Padian, 2004;Potdar y Mmari, 2011). En España la edad de debut sexual se sitúa en torno a los 15 años (Castro et al, 2011;Teva et al, 2009), unos años por debajo respecto a muestras con cohortes de mayor edad (de Sanjosé et al, 2008;Wellings et al, 2006) y estudios internacionales Haydon, Herring, Prinstein y Halpern, 2011).…”