Pre- and extra-marital heterosexual behaviour of an urban community in Rajasthan, India.

ABSTRACT

A study conducted among the teachers of senior secondary schools of a city in Rajasthan state to know the magnitude of pre- and extra-marital heterosexual practices and some related characteristics revealed that one third of unmarried and one fifth of married males had experienced pre-marital sex. The same for unmarried and married females was 11.8 per cent and 1.5 per cent, respectively. The prevalence of extra-marital heterosexual act among married males was 15.5 per cent. One out of ten married males reported to have had both pre- and extra-marital sex. A male having pre-marital sex was 15 times more likely to have extra-marital sex. Friends, acquaintances and relatives were the important sexual partners while role of commercial sex workers was negligible. The study reports that heterosexual act with person other than the legal spouse is very much prevalent among this group of middle class professionals. This situation is conducive for the spread of HIV infection among general population and may adversely influence the sexual attitudes of students. The study, therefore, suggests that, besides intensifying the health education on HIV/AIDS, serious considerations about the sexual behaviours of school teachers are needed.