Gender differentials about knowledge and source of information of family planning methods and HIV among youth in rural Jharkhand

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Kumar Premchand¹, Dr. Subrato Kumar Mondal², and Tanvi Mishra¹. (1) Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, Child In Need Institute, 357-A, Ashok Nagar, Road # 5, Ranchi, India, 916512240463, premchandiips@sify.com, (2) Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Team, CINI-Child In Need Institute, CINI-Child In Need Institute, 357A Ashok Nagar, Road No-5, Ranchi, India

Young people often have less access to information, services and resources than those who are older. Health services are rarely designed specifically to meet their needs, and health workers only occasionally receive specialist training in issues pertinent to adolescent sexual health. This paper analyses the gender differentials about knowledge of HIV-AIDS and family planning in rural Jharkhand, India. It also looks into the actual and preferred source of information about these aspects.

The data for this paper has been obtained from a part of bigger survey conducted by CINI, in three different districts of Jharkhand. Around 1200 unmarried male and 1200 unmarried females aged 15-24 years were selected by systematic random sampling.

Knowledge about HIV- AIDS and family planning is extremely low among females (P<.005). The results were subsequently analyzed according to the respondent's as well as parental education, and mass media exposure and mobility access. Friends are the best source of information about family planning and radio/ TV are the major source of information about HIV- AIDS. But it was surprising to see that mothers and friends are the best-preferred source to seeking information. About 49 percent of the males and 56 percent of the females have misconceptions regarding HIV- AIDS. Even those, who know about HIV- AIDS are not very much concerned that the disease can be transmitted to them.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the learnings would be

- To get acquainted with the actual source of information on Family planning and HIV-AIDS related issues in rural India and why there is gender differential between the actual sources of information.
- Implications for policy makers would be in the form of call for policies that will help to address this gap between the actual and preferred source of information among the youth.
- The study paves way for a brighter and healthier future for the largest population group which is in the 15-24 years bracket and is the most vulnerable to HIV-AIDS.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Health Information

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Topics in Adolescent Health Poster

The 134th Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 4-8, 2006) of APHA