A sequential analysis of critical events: Methodological innovation to study alcohol, risky sex and interfacing HIV vulnerabilities among urban youth

Considering the criticallity of perceptively gauging combined effect of risky sexual behavior and substance abuse, this study employs ‘concept of critical events’. Critical event is formulated based on combination of alcohol use, partner type and un/protected sex focusing at context and sequence of events. Data used is collected through randomized cluster sample of 1239 young men from slums of Mumbai. Over three-fourths respondents engaged in critical events, four-fifths of which were unprotected. Girlfriend(s) are more risky partner as perceived partner faithfulness translates into unprotected sex (66%), which further falls six times after alcohol intoxication. Men reporting sex with commercial partner were 8 and 3 times more likely to mix alcohol-sex and unprotected sex. Peer pressure is influential in sexual experimentation and condom use even with girlfriend. Findings highlight alcohol-sex interface with girlfriend being receiver of elevated risk. Study underlines inevitability of innovative methodology to expose convoluted sexuality issues.