A descriptive study on sexual risk behaviours and STD prevalence among 15-49 years married, literate men in Hetauda, Makwanpur.

Thesis Report.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: - The initiation of sexual intercourse is a milestone in the physical and psychological development of men and women in all societies and both the timing in this event and the context within which it occurs can have immediate and longer term consequences for the individual. The sexual behavior practices of respondents of Hetauda may lead to these consequences like contracting STD and HIV/AIDS but these were poorly investigated among them. Aims:- The aim of this study was to investigate the sexual risk behaviors and STD prevalence among 15 to 49 years married men. Materials and methods:- The sample included fifty-three non-probabilities purposively selected 15 to 49 married men from different areas of Hetauda Municipality. Each respondent completed a self-administered questionnaire with demographic characteristics and items concerning sexual risk behaviors. Results:- The mean age of respondents was 35.76 years. Among 53 respondents, 41.51% of respondents had an experience of premarital intercourse. The mean age of premarital intercourse. The mean age of premarital intercourse was 18.9 years. Very Few respondents (9.09%) practiced contraceptives in first sexual intercourse. Leading reasons for never having used a contraceptive method included- don't expect to have sex (no time to wear condoms) and fear of decrease in pleasure. The main reason give for initiating sexual activities was to get pleasure and curiosity. About 26.42% of respondents practiced sex outside their marriage due to separation from a wife for a long period (78.58%) . The numbers of such partners were to be 1 to 4 by 64.29% of respondents. 78.57% of respondents practiced condom during extramarital relationship. Majority of respondents ((98.11%) had the knowledge on hazards of having multiple sexual partners. Although premarital and extramarital sexual activities was found common, only 5.66% of respondents were infected with STDs. Among them 66.67% with these symptoms got treated. Conclusion:- Young people were exposed to health hazards through their risky sexual behaviors. Increased educational efforts targeted at high-risk individuals are necessary to make them aware of STDs and their adverse sequelae. With greater knowledge and awareness, individuals might be more likely to practice protective behaviors such as avoiding multiple partner and increase condom use during their sexual activities.

Eng.