Sexual Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Men in a Tribal Community in Tamil Nadu: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study

Mobile phones and social media were the predominant sources of sexual information among tribal men in the Jawadhi Hills.

• Seven focus group discussions were conducted with 55 men aged 18–60 years, including migrant workers, teachers, and community representatives.
• Participants were recruited through multistage and purposive maximum variation sampling.
• Digital media had increased access to sexual information.

Digital media appeared to reinforce myths and misinformation in addition to increasing access to sexual information.

• The abstract states that while digital media increased access to information, it 'also appeared to reinforce myths and misinformation.'
• The conclusions describe sexual knowledge as reflecting an interplay of traditional cultural beliefs and expanding digital exposure.

Participants had basic awareness of contraception and sexually transmitted infections.

• This basic awareness coexisted with several misconceptions.
• Findings were derived from inductive thematic analysis of transcribed, translated focus group discussions, analyzed manually.

Participants held several misconceptions about semen, masturbation, menstruation, fertility, and male contraception.

• These persistent misconceptions point to gaps in reproductive health literacy.
• The authors conclude that such gaps highlight the need for evidence-based sexual health education.

Traditional gender norms, menstrual restrictions, and community sanctions against extramarital relationships strongly influenced sexual attitudes and practices.

• These sociocultural factors were identified through thematic analysis of the focus group discussions.
• Sexual health in this community was shaped strongly by sociocultural beliefs.

Limited household privacy and conflicting beliefs about substance use and sexual performance further shaped sexual behaviors.

• Limited privacy within households was identified as a factor shaping sexual behaviors.
• Participants held conflicting beliefs about how substance use relates to sexual performance.

The authors conclude that culturally appropriate, community-based sexual health education is needed to address local beliefs while promoting evidence-based practices.

• The recommendation is based on persistent misconceptions and gaps in reproductive health literacy among tribal men.
• Evidence on sexual knowledge, attitudes, and practices among tribal men in India was described as limited prior to this study.