title: Sexual Health Knowledge in a Sample of Perinatally HIV-infected and Perinatally-exposed Uninfected Youth.
abstract: This study describes sexual health knowledge in perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV+) and perinatally-exposed uninfected (PHIV-) ethnic-minority youth, ages 9-16 years, residing in NYC (n=316). Data on youth sexual health knowledge (e.g., pregnancy, STDs, birth control) and caregiver-adolescent communication about sexual health were examined. Participants in both groups answered only 35% of the sexual health knowledge questions correctly (mean=6.6/19). Higher scores were found among youth who reported more communication about sex with caregivers (vs. those who did not report talking about sex with caregivers; 8.54 vs. 5.84, p<.001) and among PHIV+ youth who were aware of their status (vs. PHIV+ youth who were not; 7.27 vs. 4.70, p<.001). Age was positively correlated with sexual health knowledge (beta=.489, p<.001). Both PHIV+ and PHIV- youth had poor sexual health knowledge, suggesting a need for sexual health education for both groups. Data suggest that interventions focused on caregiver-child risk communication may be important for prevention.
authors: HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY.
authors: Olga
authors: O
authors: Gromadzka
authors: Doctoral Student, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, Providence RI, USA.
authors: E Karina
authors: EK
authors: Santamaria
authors: HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY.
authors: Jessica M
authors: JM
authors: Benavides
authors: HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY.
authors: Curtis
authors: C
authors: Dolezal
authors: HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY.
authors: Katherine S
authors: KS
authors: Elkington
authors: HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY.
authors: Cheng-Shiun
authors: CS
authors: Leu
authors: Silver School of Social Work, New York University, New York, NY.
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: McKay
authors: ICAP, Mailman School of Public Health and College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY.
authors: Elaine J
authors: EJ
authors: Abrams
authors: Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Jacobi Medical Center, New York, NY.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Wiznia
authors: Metropolitan Hospital Center and New York Medical College, New York, NY.
authors: Mahrukh
authors: M
authors: Bamji
authors: HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY; Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY.
authors: Claude
authors: C
authors: Ann Mellins
keywords: HIV; STD knowledge; adolescents; perinatal infection