Dowsett (2003) notes that by far, the vast majority of non-biomedical research on HIV/AIDS has been behavioural research, usually by survey methods, counting people's sex acts, partners, preferences, places, times and reasons for sex, and assessing levels of risk for HIV infection, revealing the dominance of seeing sex largely as behaviours.

The major finding of the study shows that sexual initiation which typically occurs at an early age for both sexes. However, females are more likely to start sex before reaching the exact age 15 and 18. It is also found that the mean age at sexual debut was 17.2 for male and16.5 for female. Although most youths have used condoms, its consistent use was remained low. Considerable proportion of the youth in the area exhibited high risk sexual behavior including multiple sexual partnership, early sexual activity and inconsistent or non use of condoms that predisposed them to Sexually Transmitted Diseases including HIV infection. This implies that HIV/AIDS prevention and other reproductive health programmes need to target youths when they are very young, particularly for females in the study area.

In the Caribbean sexuality has never been a topic for public discussion. Previously relegated to theatrical innuendo, musical lyrics and other popular forms of cultural expression, the HIV and AIDS pandemic have now thrown this taboo subject centrestage. The discourse on gender and sexuality is however, still being shaped and this book sets the platform for that discussion. Proceeding from a premise that gender influences sexuality and sexual behaviour, Sex, Power and Taboo provides an interdisciplinary approach to the exploration of how gender affects HIV risk and prevention. The paradigm of HIV and AIDS research is shifted by illuminating the influence of gender ideologies, norms and power relationships on sexuality, and the impact of gender to HIV risk and prevention within and outside of the Caribbean. The contributors are Caribbean and international, and discuss gender and sexuality for the academic, for those in the public health service as well as social policymakers. Sex, Power and Taboo contributes to the research-based interventions to aid the prevention of HIV and AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases and will assist in the design, implementation and evaluation of programmes addressing the AIDS epidemic.

This book examines HIV/AIDS vulnerabilities, impacts and responses in the socioeconomic and cultural context of Sub-Saharan Africa. With contributions from social scientists and public health experts, the volume identifies gender inequality and poverty as the main causes of the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa.

Sexual practices and drug use among the young are examined in this book, calling into question mainstream assumptions about ‘adolescence’. Bringing together a range of cross-cultural and cross-national contributions, the book reveals both similarities and important differences that mark sexuality and drug use among young in different social and cultural settings. In doing so, it allows the reader to build up a clearer understanding of the challenges that must be faced in public health and education if we are to develop programs and interventions that really serve the needs of young people. The book will be of interest to professionals working with young people and is suitable for a wide range of multidisciplinary courses covering areas such as human sexuality, sex education, public health and social work.