Coital debut of people living with HIV/AIDS attending school of tropical medicine, Kolkata.

Early coital debut is a significant predictor of HIV infection. A cross-sectional, observational study of HIV/AIDS patients attending the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine (CSTM), Kollata, carried out for a period of six months from May to October 2006; found that 32.2% of patients had sexual initiation before 19 years. The mean age of coital debut was 22.47 years for males and 18.62 years for females. 62.3% women had experienced sexual intercourse before 19 years. The first sexual partner was the spouse in ''91.8% females and 42.9% males. Coital debut at younger ages was significantly higher among female patients less than 35 years of age, those educated less than middle school, staying in rural areas, not belonging to Hindu religion and not having commercial sex at time of sexual initiation.