Societal norms and open communication about sex-related issues as predictors of safer sex.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are pandemic and are one of the greatest challenges to worldwide public health including India. According to the United Nations there are about 4 million HIV infected people in India and India is considered a high-risk country. Adolescents and young adults 15 to 24 years old are the hardest hit by HIV infection worldwide and a significant proportion of them live in India. Despite the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS it has been reported that many adolescents do not know the transmission mode of this disease. One way to promote safer choices among adolescents is by having open communication and discussions about sex and condom use. In India due to the deep-seeded taboo on discussing sexuality adolescents and their parents do not freely discuss sex and HIV related topics. Indian girls are more restricted than boys and therefore it is essential to find out if there are still sex differences even in the face of the threat of HIV/AIDS. (excerpt)