title: Needs assessment report for a young people's sexual health project in West Bengal.
abstract: In collaboration with AIMS Research in Calcutta and with funding support from the West Bengal Sexual Health Project/Department for International Development, UK, the Thoughtshop Foundation conducted a study of the sexual health problems and information needs of young people in urban and rural West Bengal.  The study was conducted during March-April 1997, targeting both male and female adolescents in the 12-19 age group, both in and out of school.  The study involved a content analysis of letters received by the AIDS, Sex, Knowledge column; focus group discussions; interviews with key personalities who exert major influence on young people; and an institutional analysis of sexual health services available to the target population.  The study's findings point to an almost lack of sexual awareness of sexual health issues and knowledge of the human anatomy among the target population and the people who influence them most (e.g., parents and teachers).  Very often the very same people discourage young people's access to information about sexual health.  While the institutional analysis indicates some progress in the provision of sexual health services to young people (e.g., awareness programs, counseling and condom promotion), access to reliable sources of information, including the mass media, is not available to many of them.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001208:Asia; D001519:Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D003710:Demography; D003906:Developing Countries; D004467:Economics; D006262:Health; D006296:Health Services; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D007194:India; D019359:Knowledge; D010551:Personality; D011153:Population; D011154:Population Characteristics; D011584:Psychology; D012106:Research; D019529:Sexuality
keywords: Adolescents; Age Factors; Asia; Behavior; Delivery Of Health Care; Demographic Factors; Developing Countries; Economic Factors; Health; Health Services; India; Knowledge; Needs; Personality; Population; Population Characteristics; Psychological Factors; Sexuality; Southern Asia; Summary Report; Youth