Paper short abstract:

The study will highlight the social risk factors along with knowledge, attitude, behaviour and practice about reproductive and sexual matters among the Sahariay tribal youth and identify the constrains in effective intervention and utilization of health services for prevention and management of reproductive morbidity.

Paper long abstract:

Today, in the context of reproductive health problems the focus of intervention is gradually indicating the importance of the section of population called ''Youths". In India National Family Health Survey-3(2005-06) reports high risk sex behavior among the youths. Further, the situation is more critical among tribal youths. The present study on Sahariya youths endeavours to understand the social risk factors along with knowledge, attitude, behaviour and practice about reproductive and sexual matters among the tribal youth and identify the constrains in effective intervention and utilization of health services for prevention and management of reproductive morbidity. 702 Sahariya youth in the age group 15-24 years were interviewed. The participatory rural appraisal (PRA) techniques were also applied.

Sahariya tribe is susceptible to social and behavioural risk factors in terms of sexuality, connectedness, their meeting pattern, domestic violence, etc. Nearly half of them had wrong perception on different aspects of pregnancy. HIV/AIDS and other STI were heard by 45% and 25% of the respondents respectively with many misconceptions about its routs of transmission. Seventeen percent of the respondents aware of STI reported self suffering and symptoms during reference period. The constrains in effective intervention and utilization of services for prevention and management of reproductive morbidity is ignorance and misconception on the sexual and reproductive health issues among the tribe. The study reveals that there is a imperative need to improve demand for services among the youths with education on reproductive morbidity and safe sexual life.