Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding sexuality, sexual behaviors and contraceptives among college/university students in Karachi, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding sexuality, high risk sexual behaviors and methods of contraception, among college/university students of Karachi, Pakistan. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Higher Education Commission-recognized government and private colleges/universities in Karachi from 2005-2006. METHODOLOGY: Two colleges/universities were randomly selected from each category i.e. government medical, government non-medical and private medical and non-medical colleges/universities. Three stage cluster sampling was employed to draw a representative sample of students. A self administered questionnaire was used to elicit information on knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding high risk sexual behaviors, methods of contraception and sources to obtain information about sexual issues. RESULTS: A total of 957 students were interviewed. They comprised 542 (56.6%) males and 415 (43.4%) females with mean age of 21 1.8 years. Bivariate analysis showed that students enrolled in medical colleges/universities were less likely to watch adult films (O.R. 0.7, CI; 0.5-0.9) to acquire sex related knowledge and go out on dates (O.R. 0.6, CI; 0.4- 0.8). Similarly, medical students were less likely to consider contraception as being against Islamic teachings (O.R. 0.7, CI; 0.5-0.9). CONCLUSION: The curricula of non-medical studies at undergraduate level should include education regarding sexual health and contraception