title: Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding sexuality, sexual behaviors and contraceptives among college/university students in Karachi, Pakistan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding sexuality, high risk sexual behaviors and methods of contraception, among college/university students of Karachi, Pakistan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Higher Education Commission-recognized government and private colleges/universities in Karachi from 2005-2006.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two colleges/universities were randomly selected from each category i.e. government medical, government non-medical and private medical and non-medical colleges/universities. Three stage cluster sampling was employed to draw a representative sample of students. A self administered questionnaire was used to elicit information on knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding high risk sexual behaviors, methods of contraception and sources to obtain information about sexual issues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 957 students were interviewed. They comprised 542 (56.6%) males and 415 (43.4%) females with mean age of 21 ± 1.8 years. Bivariate analysis showed that students enrolled in medical colleges/universities were less likely to watch adult films (O.R. 0.7, CI; 0.5-0.9) to acquire sex related knowledge and go out on dates (O.R. 0.6, CI; 0.4- 0.8). Similarly, medical students were less likely to consider contraception as being against Islamic teachings (O.R. 0.7, CI; 0.5-0.9).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The curricula of non-medical studies at undergraduate level should include education regarding sexual health and contraception.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. fozia.ajmal@gmail.com
authors.forename: Fozia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ajmal
authors.forename: Ajmal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agha
authors.forename: Nabila
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zareen
authors.forename: Mehtab S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Karim
mesh_terms: D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan; D012067:Religion; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult