title: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antiretroviral management, reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections, and sexual risk behavior among perinatally HIV-infected youth in Thailand.
abstract: More than 30% of perinatally HIV-infected children in Thailand are 12 years and older. As these youth become sexually active, there is a risk that they will transmit HIV to their partners. Data on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of HIV-infected youth in Thailand are limited. Therefore, we assessed the KAP of perinatally HIV-infected youth and youth reporting sexual risk behaviors receiving care at two tertiary care hospitals in Bangkok, Thailand and living in an orphanage in Lopburi, Thailand. From October 2010 to July 2011, 197 HIV-infected youth completed an audio computer-assisted self-interview to assess their KAP regarding antiretroviral (ARV) management, reproductive health, sexual risk behaviors, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A majority of youth in this study correctly answered questions about HIV transmission and prevention and the importance of taking ARVs regularly. More than half of the youth in this study demonstrated a lack of family planning, reproductive health, and STI knowledge. Girls had more appropriate attitudes toward safe sex and risk behaviors than boys. Although only 5% of the youth reported that they had engaged in sexual intercourse, about a third reported sexual risk behaviors (e.g., having or kissing boy/girlfriend or consuming an alcoholic beverage). We found low condom use and other family planning practices, increasing the risk of HIV and/or STI transmission to sexual partners. Additional resources are needed to improve reproductive health knowledge and reduce risk behavior among HIV-infected youth in Thailand.
authors.affiliation: a Global AIDS Program Thailand Asia Regional Office , Thailand Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) - U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Collaboration , Nonthaburi , Thailand.
authors.forename: Rangsima
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lolekha
authors.forename: Vitharon
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Boon-Yasidhi
authors.forename: Pimsiri
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leowsrisook
authors.forename: Thananda
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Naiwatanakul
authors.forename: Yuitiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Durier
authors.forename: Wipada
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nuchanard
authors.forename: Jariya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tarugsa
authors.forename: Warunee
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Punpanich
authors.forename: Sarika
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pattanasin
authors.forename: Kulkanya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chokephaibulkit
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents
keywords: ARV management; HIV-infected youth; Thailand; attitudes; knowledge; sexual risk behavior