A cross sectional study on sexual practices and knowledge related to sexual health of youth in the tea plantation sector; Nuwara Eliya district, Sri Lanka

Abstract

General objective: To estimate the sero – prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis among remote tea estate youths. Specific objectives: To explore the sexual health knowledge and their sexual behaviours Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional survey of 400 remote tea estate workers, aged between 18- 24 years were carried out in 5 tea estates in Kotagala - Thalawakele Health division. Systematically selected random sample of youth participated in; first self answered questionnaire, then an interview and finally serological testing of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis. Results: The sample consisted of 188 males (47%) and 212 females (53%). One hundred and forty six (36.5%) were married. The mean age of sexual debut for males was 12.56 (SD=1.88) and for females it was 16.21yrs (SD= 1.79). Eighty six percent of males had a homosexual experience and 63% had more than one same sex partner. Peers were their main source of knowledge (59%) and most reliable person to discuss sexuality (55%). The large majority of the participants (n=324, 81.25%) never heard of a disease called AIDS. Only 3.25% (n=13) of respondents had ever heard of diseases called sexually transmitted infections. Conclusion: Irrespective of very low sero prevalence of HIV, hepatitis and syphilis sexual health services are not sufficient to meet the needs of youth in the plantations and available services are not being delivered appropriately. A comprehensive, integrated sexual health service is needed for the youth and adolescents in the estate sector. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljv.v3i1.5412 Sri Lanka Journal of Venereology Vol.3(1) 2012 pp.41-46