Appropriate methodologies for studying sexual behaviour in India.

The first stage of the program involved an in-depth analysis based on qualitative research techniques. The primary objective was to generate a list of possible methodologies for carrying out such a study. The technique of focus group discussions was used in this phase. In the second stage the methodologies generated were short-listed through a quantitative study amongst the general population. Two methodologies were then selected for actual field testing. In the third and final stage of the research program an operation research was carried out. This involved field testing of selected methodologies among middle class urban Indians in Delhi (relatively more progressive) Calcutta and Madras (conservative locations) using scientific survey research technology. Focus group discussions were carried out amongst middle social class men and women. 100 such respondents were included: 50 each from Delhi and Calcutta. 12 methodologies were tested. The first three involved in-house interviews. The next three methodologies involved bringing the respondents to a central location (in-hall) after a suitable random recruitment exercise briefing them in a group possibly with visual aids and then carrying out the interviewing and self completion exercise individually with adequate privacy. The next stage of the study involved field testing of selected methodologies to assess their acceptability and validity. Two methodologies were selected: 1) the less expensive in-home interview and 2) the more expensive in-hall interview both preceded by a briefing and immediate self completion. The results of operations research showed that survey methodologies did not seem to have the inherent problem of acceptability. The inherent potential of the in-hall methodology to achieve a higher acceptance rate was better than that for in-home. The in-hall study showed that contact with sex workers personal experience of STD and experience of homosexuality were the three most socially disapproved practices.