title: Knowledge and perceptions of sexual and reproductive health and HIV among perinatally HIV-infected adolescents in rural China.
abstract: Due to the success of highly active antiretroviral therapy, more children infected with HIV perinatally are living to adolescence. This brings new challenges on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs and psychosocial support specific to adolescents. To improve such efforts on long-term care of this vulnerable population, we assessed SRH and HIV knowledge and perceptions among perinatally HIV-infected adolescents (PHIVA). This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between July and September 2013 in a rural HIV clinic. A structured questionnaire focusing on SRH and HIV was administered to 124 PHIVA attending quarterly medical visit. Multivariable logistic regression was used to detect associated factors with knowledge acquisition. Among participants, 79% had never discussed puberty development or sexuality with parents. Over 50% had never heard of condoms and 20% reported not having any informational source of SRH and HIV knowledge. Only 5% correctly answered all questions regarding HIV knowledge and pregnancy, with 18% correctly answered questions regarding contraception. Adolescents older than age of 15 and who had been disclosed of HIV status were more likely to acquire correct knowledge of SRH and HIV. Most PHIVA did not report having access to comprehensive information on SRH and HIV, in part because of the early death of caretakers or unfavorable family status. Further integration of SRH services with HIV treatment programs is needed to provide comprehensive care for adolescents and prepare them for the transition to adult care.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Treatment and Care , National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Weiwei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.affiliation: a Division of Treatment and Care , National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: b Yale School of Public Health , Yale University , New Haven , CT , USA.
authors.forename: Kaveh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khoshnood
authors.affiliation: c HIV/AIDS Department, Shang Cai Country Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Henan , China.
authors.forename: Yuewu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: a Division of Treatment and Care , National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: a Division of Treatment and Care , National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: d Department of HIV/AIDS , UNICEF , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Wenqing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: c HIV/AIDS Department, Shang Cai Country Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Henan , China.
authors.forename: Shuiwang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: a Division of Treatment and Care , National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: a Division of Treatment and Care , National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention , Beijing , China.|e Infectious Disease Department, Beijing Ditan Hospital , Capital Medical University , Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Fujie
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002648:Child; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012424:Rural Population; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV; adolescent; education; perinatal; sexual and reproductive health; transition