Sexual behaviour and attitudes of students in the Moscow State University

This article is focused on the sexual attitudes and behaviour, and knowledg e of AIDS of a group of students of Moscow State University. Reference will also be made to surveys dating back to the beginning of the century, when Russia and then the Soviet Republic were at the forefront in this field of research, in that they help throw light on past trends and present tendenci es. The first sexual intercourse (FSI) is relatively early for male students (m edian age = 17.7) and relatively late for females (18.9). Mean number of pa rtners per year is not low, and it is the same for both males and females ( almost 1.7). This is not the case in Western countries. Moreover, contracep tion at FSI is at a low level. Sexual attitudes are permissive - particular ly concerning infidelity - and there is a general concern regarding the spr ead of AIDS. However, specific knowledge about AIDS transmission is lacking .