309336
Substance Use, Violence and Sexual Risk Taking Behaviour among Young Men of Urban Slum in India
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The preliminary analysis found that initiation of drug use starts as early as age 10 among boys in the community. There is widespread availability of drugs in the community. Money for drugs is often obtained through hazardous jobs in the unorganized sector and transactional sex, mainly with men and older women in the community. Reasons for drug use and addiction are peer pressure, poverty, lack of livelihood opportunities, norms of masculinity, tension in relationships, and mere entertainment. Perceptions of the negative effects of drug consumption include decline in health, violence against women and girls in the community, and risky sexual behaviors leading to self-reported STI symptoms. The study results suggest multiple entry points for programs through religious leaders, youth clubs, schools and NGOs to address the masculinity norm and ways of coping with stress and family expectations regarding the financial contribution from young men and boys.
The results suggest that growth of slum communities due to urbanization without a substantial investment addressing social norms and financial needs, adolescent boys and young men in slum communities are predisposed to alcohol and drug use. This likely to increase the proportion of the population at an increased risk for HIV and violence if adequate measures are not taken urgently.
Learning Areas:
Social and behavioral sciencesLearning Objectives:
Identify the pathways to HIV risk among young men and boys in extreme poverty driven community in India
Keyword(s): Sexual Risk Behavior, Drug Abuse
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have helped develop multiple research studies with ICRW on HIV, substance used, and the primary prevention of gender-based violence among this population and have extensive skills in qualitative data analysis.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.