Despite high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Vasai region, little attention has been paid to sexualtiy education programs in schools. The study attempted to explore perception of sexuality among students in early college life. Methods: Thirteen groups of students (7-8 per group) were instructed to draw a life sized human body and identify body parts and pleasure and pain points. Students were gender grouped to facilitate comfort in discussing sexuality. Discussion session addressed questions raised by the students. Results: The body maps showed more focus on the upper body parts compared to the lower parts and extremities. The genital organs and reproductive system were inaccurately located and excluded in almost half the body maps. The boys groups had identified sexual and reproductive organs more often than girls group. Boy groups identified head and chest as the pain points. Only one boys group identified breasts and vagina as pleasure points. Queries on sexuality (62%) related to reproduction (17%), masturbation (16%), intercourse (12%) and sexual orientation (12%). Fewer wanted information on physical and emotional changes during pubery (6%), premarital sex (4%) and friendships with persons of opposite sex (8%). Most of the questions on HIV/AIDS (38%) were about causal modes of transmission (28%), prevention (22%), meaning of HIV/AIDS (14%), and epidemiology (12%). Conclusion Despite limited information about sexual and reproductive organs, boys expressed more knowledgability than girls. The student's queries reflect a strong need to address sexuality issues in schools and colleges. Questions on masturbation and premarital sex indicate growing curiosity and practice of these behaviours coupled with confusion about moral values related to these behaviours. Systematic sexuality education programs including HIV-AIDS and STDs need to be conducted at school and college levels.
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