Sexual Health Knowledge in a Sample of Perinatally HIV-Infected and Perinatally Exposed Uninfected Youth

Abstract

This study describes sexual health knowledge in perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV+) and perinatally-exposed uninfected (PHIV-) ethnic-minority youth, ages 9–16 years, residing in NYC (n=316). Data on youth sexual health knowledge (e.g., pregnancy, STDs, birth control) and caregiver-adolescent communication about sexual health were examined. Participants in both groups answered only 35% of the sexual health knowledge questions correctly (mean=6.6/19). Higher scores were found among youth who reported more communication about sex with caregivers (vs. those who did not report talking about sex with caregivers; 8.54 vs. 5.84, p<.001) and among PHIV+ youth who were aware of their status (vs. PHIV+ youth who were not; 7.27 vs. 4.70, p<.001). Age was positively correlated with sexual health knowledge (beta=.489, p<.001). Both PHIV+ and PHIV− youth had poor sexual health knowledge, suggesting a need for sexual health education for both groups. Data suggest that interventions focused on caregiver-child risk communication may be important for prevention.

“I definitely want grandbabies”: Caregivers of adolescents with perinatally-acquired HIV reflect on dating and childbearing.

“…Findings indicated that, similar to typically developing adolescents (Martinez et al, 2010), the majority of caregivers reported talking to their APHIV about sex and sexual behavior and are mostly supportive of their child becoming parents in the future. Prior research has shown that sexual health knowledge of youth with PHIV was higher among those who reported communication about sex with caregivers (Gromadzka et al, 2015). However, findings from the current study also indicated that caregivers of APHIV may lack knowledge regarding the risk of MTCT, which is consistent with previous research on adults and adolescents living with HIV (Finocchario-Kessler et al, 2010; Fair & Albright, 2016).…”

“…Previous research suggests that uninfected youth with HIV-positive mothers engage in fewer sexual risk behaviors and that APHIV with HIV-positive caregivers delay sexual debut and report higher levels of condom use (Bauermeister et al, 2012; Leonard, Gwadz, Cleland, Vekaria, & Ferns, 2008; Murphy, Herbeck, Marelich, & Schuster, 2010). Further, Gromadzka et al (2015) found that APHIV who communicated with their caregiver about sex had better sexual knowledge. Parents with HIV are in a unique position to offer guidance and information about sexual risk reduction strategies, given their personal experiences navigating sex and relationships as an HIV-positive individual.…”