Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Sex ed still a taboo!

A survey on HIV/AIDS in Andhra Pradesh throws up startling facts

That the incidence of HIV/AIDS in Andhra Pradesh has increased manifold over the years is a known fact. But what might come as a shocker is that awareness levels are still low, particularly among urban youth. The lack of sex education in many schools only compounds this problem.

The findings that have been presented after a detailed study of HIV/AIDS in the state, called Project Freako, by Pothina Vinita Market Vitamins for Satyam Foundation throws light on the situation. Andhra Pradesh has one of the fastest rising HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in India. HIV/AIDS, which was until recently largely found in high-risk populations such as sex workers, drug users and truck drivers, the surveillance data suggests that the epidemic is moving beyond these groups into the general population in urban cities. Over 35 per cent of reported cases are among youngsters aged between 15 and 24.

Observations also indicate that sex education is still limited to a small number of schools and as a result, young adults remain in the dark about HIV. Unprotected pre-marital sex is also cited as a reason for HIV cases. The study, which has focused on youngsters from Hyderabad, Vizag, Bhimavaram, Kakinada and Warangal, has found that more number of teens look at sex as an integral part of life, but fail to use protective measures. The respondents were a mix of students, first time professionals working in IT companies and call centres.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail