title: A Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey regarding Sex, Contraception and Sexually Transmitted Diseases among Commerce College Students in Mumbai.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One in four Indians is a juvenile. Sexual crimes, pre marital sex, sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies are on the rise. It has been shown that lack of sexuality education can significantly contribute to the above.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We conducted this study to determine the knowledge and awareness of college students regarding sex and related matters and the factors affecting the prevalent outlook and practices of youth towards the same.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst 500 students of the K.P.B. Hinduja College of Commerce from December 2012 to March 2013 as per the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.
  
  
  METHODS
  1. Sex knowledge scores of males and females regarding contraception, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. 2. Percentage response of males and females to questions depicting attitudes and perceptions regarding premarital sex and promiscuity, sexual fantasy and masturbation, unwanted pregnancies and contraception. 3. Responses depicting participant's premarital and high risk sexual activities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 18.6 ±1.6 years, 46% of participants were female. The total sex related knowledge scores of males and females were 8.2±1.2 and 6.2±2.4 (p<0.0001), respectively. 84% males and 72% females disagree that virginity should be preserved till marriage. Premarital sex was reported by 48% males and 18% females. Out of those who had premarital sex, 68% males and none of the females had more than one sex partner and 21% males and 12% females had used a contraceptive during their sexual encounter. 87% males and 82% females disagree that sex education in secondary schools will cause a rise in premarital intercourse. 40% males and 13% females are of the view that birth control is primarily a female's responsibility. 14% of males and 21% of females (p = 0.2) reported being forced to have sex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants, especially females, lacked basic information about sexuality and related concepts. Male participants had a very casual attitude towards having sex with multiple partners. Premarital sex is more common than once believed. In the light of our finds and the current scenario, sexuality education is indispensable in order to guide the youth to develop and adopt healthy and appropriate sexual practices.
authors.affiliation: Assitant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Grant Medical College & Sir JJ Hospital , Mumbai, India .
authors.forename: Amit S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Mutha
authors.affiliation: Ex Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Grant Medical College & Sir JJ Group of Hospitals , Mumbai, India .
authors.forename: Sonali A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mutha
authors.affiliation: Assitant Professor, Department of General Medicine, Grant Medical College & Sir JJ Hospital , Mumbai, India .
authors.forename: Paritosh J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Baghel
authors.affiliation: Medical Officer, Grant Medical College & Sir JJ Hospital ; Mumbai, India .
authors.forename: Ramanand J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Junior Resident-II, Department of Pharmacology, Grant Medical College & Sir JJ Hospital ; Mumbai, India .
authors.forename: Sagar B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Bhagat
authors.affiliation: Professor & Head, Department of Pharmacology, Grant Medical College & Sir JJ Hospital , Mumbai, India .
authors.forename: Sadiq B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: President for Life CSEPI (Consel for Sex education and Parenthood Int. , India .
authors.forename: Mahinder C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Watsa
keywords: Epidemiology; HIV/AIDS; Safe sex; Sex offences; Sexuality education