Introduction: Sexually transmitted Infections (STI) including HIV/AIDS mainly affect sexually active people, most of whom are young adults. STIs are associated devastating sequelae like pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and poor perinatal outcomes. In India, the RMNCH+A programme focusses on prevention and control of STIs, contraception and health education. This study was conducted to document the knowledge and beliefs regarding contraception, HIV/AIDS and STIs among young adults attending college in a peri-urban area of Bangalore. Methods: Data was collected using a face-validated questionnaire which recorded socio-demographic data, and knowledge and beliefs regarding contraception and STIs and HIV/AIDS. To assess knowledge, correct answers were given a score of 1. Students were categorised as having good, moderate or poor knowledge based on tertiles. Results: 420 students in the age group of 18-25 years were included in the study. 40% students had poor knowledge of contraception and 35% students had poor knowledge of STIs and HIV. Only 35.7% of students were aware of emergency contraceptive pills and 55% knew that condoms could prevent pregnancy as well as STIs/HIV. Very few students knew where STIs were treated (20.7%) or where to obtain condoms and oral pills to prevent pregnancy (27.1%). Result of Multinomial Logistics Regression analysis showed that female gender [OR 11.78] and poor educational status of the mother [OR 2.49] were significantly associated with poor knowledge Conclusion: Erroneous beliefs and poor knowledge regarding contraception and STIs/HIV among these young adults, indicate a need to focus on this important issue in the context of a college environment.
