Risk-taking behaviors among vertically HIV-infected adolescents in northern Thailand.
OBJECTIVE
To examine risk-taking behaviors and HIV self-disclosure among vertically HIV-infected adolescents in northern Thailand.


METHODS
A quantitative survey was conducted from 2007 to 2008 at 2 pediatric HIV clinics in northern Thailand among vertically HIV-infected adolescents aged > or =13 years, with disclosed HIV status. The survey assessed sociodemographics, substance use, sexual behavior, peer behaviors, knowledge, and attitudes regarding HIV disclosure.


RESULTS
Fifty-four adolescents (median age 14.6 years) participated; 18.5% reported previous alcohol use but none reported drug use; 35.2% reported presexual activity, and 3.7% reported sexual activity. Nearly all (96.3%) knew that HIV could be transmitted sexually, but knowledge regarding other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was poor. Nearly half (48.1%) had never disclosed their status to anyone.


CONCLUSIONS
Rates of substance use and sexual activity were low in this population. STI knowledge was poor and diagnosis self-disclosure was infrequent. Improved sexual education and self-disclosure skills are needed among vertically HIV-infected adolescents in Thailand.
Lee
Benjamin
B
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Oberdorfer
Peninnah
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology