Investigator(s)
| WHO Technical Officer |
Rajat Shuvra Adhikary WHO India Rajat Shuvra Adhikary 
|
| Principal Investigator |
Amrita Prajwal Rao ICMR-NARI Amrita Prajwal Rao
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Sheikh Mohammad Shahabuddin ICMR-NARI Sheikh Mohammad Shahabuddin
|
| Co-Investigator(s) |
Rashmi G Sindhe ICMR-NARI Rashmi G Sindhe
|
Title(s) and abstract
| Scientific title | An exploratory assessment to understand current sexual networks, sexual practices, and sexual health among Indian youths in selected locations |
| Public title | An exploratory assessment to understand current sexual networks, sexual practices, and sexual health among Indian youths in selected locations |
| Background | Youths in the age bracket of 15 to 29 years constitute around one-fourth of the population in India. The transition from adolescent to adulthood involves complex physical, psychological and cognitive changes, which often lead to engagement in high-risk behaviours. The NFHS (2019-2021) report has highlighted more high-risk sexual behavior among young men than women. National program focusing on adolescent health issues has been launched in India, however, there is no specific program focusing on sexual and reproductive needs targeting youths in the age bracket of 18 to 24 years. Youths are vulnerable to high-risk behaviors and also at risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV. Discussion around sex and sexual health remains a taboo, however it is important to understand the dynamics of sexual behaviors in rural and urban settings. With India striving to achieve the sustainable development goal 3 by 2030, it is critical to understand the issues related to sexual networks, sexual practices and sexual health among youth in the age bracket of 18 to 24 years in rural and urban areas. |
| Objectives | The objective of this exploratory assessment is to understand the current sexual networks, sexual practices and sexual health of young individuals from rural and urban areas in Pune and Aizawl. This assessment seeks to gain insights into the current sexual networks, practices and health of youths with a specific focus on young adults through a comprehensive literature review and informal consultations with subject experts and key stakeholders from rural and urban areas |
| Study Methods | We plan to undertake this exploratory assessment in rural and urban areas of Pune and Aizawl. Pune district is located in Maharashtra and is the epicenter for education, attracting a large number of youths, while Aizawl is the capital city of Mizoram and is one of the most populated districts of the State. The high-risk behaviors among youths have also been documented for Mizoram in a recent review. This assessment will involve a) comprehensive literature search and b) informal consultations. The literature review will be conducted by identifying the search terms by accessing three or more databases for understanding the sexual networks, sexual practices and sexual health among youths from Maharashtra and Mizoram with focus on rural and urban areas. We shall also try, and access reports and other documents related to sexual networks, sexual practices and sexual health among youths. The informal consultations will be conducted with different stakeholders, experts and youths across rural and urban areas in the identified districts. Their experience and expertise in the field of sexual networks, sexual practices and sexual health focusing on youths will help to gain insights on this topic. |
| Expected outcomes and use of results | The report will include a literature review, along with the viewpoints of different stakeholders and experts. This compilation will set the ground to identify research gaps for larger studies that will involve community voices for better understanding of sexual networks, sexual health and sexual practices among youths. This will further help the program and policy officials to target health interventions for promoting healthier behaviors, reduce STI transmission and ultimately improve sexual and reproductive health among youths. |
| Keywords | Sexual network, sexual practices , sexual health, youths, Aizawl, Pune |
Research Details
| Student research | No |
| Start Date | 01-Sep-2024 |
| End Date | 30-Apr-2025 |
| Key Implementing Institution | National AIDS Research Institute |
| Multi-country research | No |
| Nationwide research | No |
| India, India | |
| Research Domain(s) | Communicable Disease Research |
| Research field(s) | |
| Involves human subjects | Yes |
| Qualitative Study | |
| Data Collection | Primary and secondary data |
| Proposal reviewed by other Committee | Under Review |