Sexual experiences and their correlates among college students in Mumbai City, India

Context: Isolated studies indicate that pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise among unmarried teenagers in India. However, littl e research has focused on sexual behavior among unmarried young people, par tly because of the assumption that it is governed by traditional norms. Methods: Results of a 1997 survey conducted among 966 low-income college st udents in metropolitan Mumbai (Bombay) are examined to identify levels of s exual behavior. Multivariate analysis is used to determine correlates of th at behavior. Results: Some 47% of male participants and 13% of female respondents had ha d any sexual experience with a member of the opposite sex; 26% and 3%, resp ectively: had had intercourse. Individual-level characteristics such as age and personal income had modest effects on students' sexual behavior, and f amily-level variables had no significant effects. The strongest predictors of sexual behavior were students' knowledge about sexuality-related issues, attitudes toward sex, and levels of social interaction and exposure to ero tic materials. However, the results differed for young men and women, and t he effect of knowledge was inconsistent. Conclusions: Traditional norms and the role of the family are losing their importance in governing young people's sexual behavior in India. School-bas ed sexuality programs are needed that will provide students with accurate i nformation about pregnancy, contraception and sexually transmitted diseases .