A Study on Sexual Behaviour and HIV Awareness among Men who have Sex with Men in Mangalore City, India

Abstract

This article attempts to study the sexual behaviour and human immune deficiency virus (HIV) vulnerability of men who having sex with men (MSMs) including sexual transmitted disease (STD). The data was generated from 55 MSMs from Mangalore city of the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka state. For collection of data, an interview schedule was administered as well informal observation also done. The profile of the MSMs included social demographic variable include at what age they had first time sex with men, It was noted that large number of respondents were (49.09) unmarried. It has been found that around (63.64) of the respondents were having sex with the same sex to get sexual satisfaction. The study revealed that all these respondents (100) were well furnished with HIV awareness. However, 70 percent of them reported about the symptoms of STDs they had over a period. The article advocates to comprehensive medical social work intervention with MSMs and suggests non-government organisations (NGOs) to integrate the non-formal education, create awareness about health problems, condom and gel usage.