title: Evidence on delay in sexual initiation, multiple partnerships and condom use among young people: review of Caribbean HIV behavioural studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop a Caribbean regional profile of youth sexual behaviour associated with risk of HIV.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of sexual behaviour surveys with youth aged 15-24 years was conducted as part of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) HIV Caribbean Office's Review and Gender Analysis of Caribbean HIV Behavioural and Seroprevalence Studies. Studies with internationally recommended indicators were prioritized. Studies were sought via database searches and contact with researchers and National AIDS Programmes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Inter-country comparisons and longitudinal analyses were limited by lack of uniformity in study age groups and indicators. Data were sufficient to identify the following among 15-24-year olds: .More males than females report sexual intercourse before the age of 15 years. .More than half of sexually active youth report sex before age 16 years. .First sexual encounter is usually with someone older, with age differences larger for females. .More males than females report multiple partnerships, with 20%-76% of males reporting this in the past year. .Condom use varies widely, with no clear pattern by gender.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are substantial levels of early sexual initiation, intergenerational sex among females and multiple partnerships among males, while condom use is inconsistent. Efforts to promote delay in sexual initiation, partner reduction and consistent condom use should be supplemented with initiatives against harmful gender norms, child abuse and transactional sex and skills to negotiate safe sex. Standardization of survey methods to facilitate cross-study comparisons should continue and encompass additional risk factors such as transactional sex, gender-based violence, drug use and HIV treatment adherence.
authors.affiliation: Consultant to PAHO HIV Caribbean Office, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. allen.carolinef@gmail.com.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: PAHO HIV Caribbean Office, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: Pan American Health Organization Washington DC, USA.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gennari
authors.affiliation: Consultant to PAHO HIV Caribbean Office, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.affiliation: Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caffe
authors.affiliation: Pan American Health Organization, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boisson
authors.affiliation: PAHO HIV Caribbean Office, Port-of-Spain Trinidad and Tobago.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Pan American Health Organization, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jack
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014900:West Indies; D055815:Young Adult