TIME TO PLAY A SAFE GAME

73% of youths in India have misconceptions about HIV transmission, it’s time we speak about sex education and correct use of condoms

MANY PARENTS, POLITICAL LEADERS, AND ELDERS SIMPLY SHY AWAY FROM TALKING ABOUT ‘SAFE SEX’ AS THEY CONSIDER IT A TABOO SUBJECT.

Let's talk about sex, baby Let's talk about you and me Let's talk about all the good things And the bad things that may be….

These were the catchy lyrics of the 1990s hit song by Salt-NPepa, but it’s high time we all talked about sex. Especially “safe sex” in India. As per National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) latest report, nearly 31% of the AIDS burden in India is due to youth (15 to 29 age group). These figures are worrisome because almost half the population in India is under 25 years of age.

MODERN RELATIONS

With a gamut of relationships floating around on social media – open relationships, sex pals, bed buddies, hook-ups, and ONS (one-night stand) – many youngsters are open to casual sexual encounters. Shockingly, over 73% of the youth in India have misconceptions about HIV transmission. No wonder sexually transmitted infections (STI) like syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, and genital warts are at a record high not just in India, but across the world. This indicates that young people are at high risk of contracting HIV infection.

The presence of STI enhances the HIV acquisition and transmission risk by 4-10 times.

SEX A TABOO SUBJECT

Murugesan Sivasubramanian, Technical Director, NETREACH (Global Fund Project) says many parents, political leaders, and elders simply shy away from talking about ‘safe sex’ as they consider it a taboo subject. “Many Indian men do not know how to wear a condom. They complain that the condom does not roll properly or tears off. The condoms that we get in the Indian market are of excellent quality, but what many men do not realize is that lubrication matters,” explains Murugesan.

With no one to clear their doubts, several youngsters log on to the Internet and gather half-baked knowledge about sex, safe sex, condoms, and PrEP pills (pre-exposure prophylaxis). The PrEP pill prevents some infections but condoms are a safe bet as they are easily available in most shops.

According to the UNFPA’s State of World Population Report 2023, India has the largest population in the world (142.86 crore). Over 600 million Indians are between 18 and 35 years old. Yet, there is very little discussion on “sex”, “safe sex” or “condom use” at home or in social spaces. There are several men, who swear by “double protection” in their excitement and wear two condoms. “But double production is a myth because all condoms are lubricated. During sex, the top condom often slips away,” explains Murugesan, adding, “A single

— MURUGESAN SIVASUBRAMANIAN, Technical Director, NETREACH (Global Fund Project)

condom if rolled properly on an erect penis can provide excellent proper protection.”

HIV IN INDIA

As per NACO’s latest estimates, approximately 2.4 million people are living with HIV in India. The prevalence of HIV among the adult population is 0.3%. The prevalence of HIV is

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