Adolescent HIV prevalence, sexual risk, and willingness to participate in HIV vaccine trials.
OBJECTIVE
To determine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence, sexual risk behaviors, and attitudes toward HIV vaccine trials among 11-19 year-olds in a peri-urban community near Cape Town, South Africa.


METHODS
We performed HIV antibody testing on oral transudate, and assessed sexual risk behaviors and willingness to participate in HIV vaccine trials using self-administered questionnaires.


RESULTS
Of the 510 adolescents selected, 356 (73%) participated. The HIV prevalence of the group was 10.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.5-14.4). One-third of adolescents had experienced sexual debut, with a mean age of 14.6 years. Number of lifetime sexual partners was independently associated with HIV infection (odds ratio [OR] = 1.62; 95% CI 1.1-2.3). In a multivariate analysis, increasing age, female gender, and attending school were independently associated with having had sex. The majority of adolescents (79%) were willing to participate in an HIV vaccine trial. Increasing age and length of residence in the community were significantly associated with willingness to participate (OR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.01-1.4 and OR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.03-1.26, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of HIV and risk behavior among adolescents in this community is high. HIV vaccines are required that target preadolescents. HIV vaccine trials in adolescents in this setting will be facilitated by their willingness to participate.
Jaspan
Heather B
HB
Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. heather.jaspan@hiv-research.org.za
Berwick
Jessica R
JR
Myer
Landon
L
Mathews
Catherine
C
Flisher
Alan J
AJ
Wood
Robin
R
Bekker
Linda-Gail
LG
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D016915:AIDS Vaccines