Kathmandu, March 31:

A total of 73.5 per cent and 36.4 per cent of the sexually active street-based boys and girls respectively are prone to high-risk sex behaviour, according to a Study on ‘Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Beliefs in the Context of HIV/AIDS among Out-of-School Street-based Children in Kathmandu and Pokhara’.

The study, conducted on street-based children in 70 localities of Kathmandu and 19 localities of Pokhara, covered rag-pickers, porters, conductors, beggars, street-based commercial sex workers and street-based criminals in 2005.

According to the study, 31.8 per cent and 21.6 per cent of the street-based boys and girls are sexually active. The study was jointly conducted by Child Welfare Scheme in Pokhara and Sath Sath in Kathmandu with the technical support of CREHPA and UNESCO Kathmandu. According to the study, although respondents possess basic knowledge about HIV/AIDS, practical knowledge on the basic facts of transmission, their preventive actions are limited and unclear. A total of 73 per cent of boys and 76 per cent of girls know that a person can get infected with HIV/AIDS by having unprotected sex. Only 40.9 per cent of the boys use condoms consistently during sex with non-regular sex partners.

And a total of 71 per cent of boys and 76 per cent of girls know that a person can get infected with HIV/AIDS by injecting himself with a used needle. Only 60 per cent of Injected Drug User (IDU) boys and 33.3 per cent IDU girls share injecting equipment. The knowledge has not resulted in the elimination of false beliefs or negative attitudes. According to the study, the children still believe they can judge whether a person is HIV infected by looking at them. They still believe if they only share needles sometimes they are unlikely to be infected. As the IDUs share needles even when they know they should not, children do not use condoms even though they know they face the risk of HIV infection.

Early sexual initiation, sex with multiple non-regular partners, inconsistent condom use and needle-sharing among IDUs are the major behavioural challenges in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, the study said, adding that focus should be on curbing sexually risky behaviour.

“Sexually active children below 14 years of age are more likely to be involved in high-risk sexual behaviour and are less likely to use condoms. They are less likely to have had any exposure to sexual health interventions,” it said. However, their sexual development occurs without access to support and information. Besides, they do not get chances to discuss the consequences of present behaviour.