A longitudinal study of adolescents with perinatally or transfusion acquired HIV infection: sexual knowledge, risk reduction self-efficacy and sexual behavior.
As HIV-positive children are surviving to adolescence and beyond, understanding their HIV knowledge and sexual behavior is critical. Forty HIV+ adolescents/young adults were interviewed twice, approximately 21 months apart (mean age 16.6 and 18.3 years, respectively). Data on demographics, safer sex knowledge, sexual risk behaviors, risk reduction self-efficacy, and Tanner stage were collected. Twenty-eight percent of HIV+ youth at Time 1 and 41% at Time 2 reported being sexually active. HIV transmission/safer sex knowledge was low, increased with age, and both self-efficacy for and actual condom use was relatively high. Secondary prevention messages should be incorporated into routine medical settings.
Wiener
Lori S
LS
HIV/AIDS Malignancy Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 10, Pediatric Clinic I-SE, Room I-6466, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. wienerl@mail.nih.gov
Battles
Haven B
HB
Wood
Lauren V
LV
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission*; D015497:HIV-1; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012309:Risk-Taking; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D065227:Transfusion Reaction