title: "I definitely want grandbabies": Caregivers of adolescents with perinatally-acquired HIV reflect on dating and childbearing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Parents and caregivers of typically developing teens are often a source of information about sexual health and relationships. However, little is known about the information offered to adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV (APHIV) by caregivers who may provide support and guidance to their teen as they explore sexuality and childbearing.
  
  
  METHODS
  This qualitative exploratory study involved the in-depth interviews of 18 caregivers (17 females), including biological mothers (9), relatives (5), and adoptive/foster mothers (4), who care for APHIV. Interviews explored views regarding their adolescent's engagement in romantic relationships, sexual behaviors, and childbearing. The guardian's knowledge of mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT) was also assessed for accuracy. Transcribed interviews were coded for emergent themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analyses indicated that the majority of caregivers discussed sexual health and dating with their adolescent. However, guidance regarding disclosure to partners of the adolescent's HIV status varied. Some biological mothers and all relatives cautioned against disclosure, contrary to foster/adoptive mothers. Most caregivers wanted their adolescent to experience parenthood. Reasons affirming childbearing included the belief their child would be a good parent and wanted to experience parenthood, childbearing as a normative experience, and decreased HIV-related stigma. Biological mothers and most relatives did not know the risk of MTCT, as opposed to all foster/adoptive mothers who accurately stated the risk was 1% to 2%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The type of guardian influenced the nature of shared information related to disclosure and risk of MTCT. Sexual and reproductive health education should be provided to caregivers because they could be an important source of information for APHIV. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors: Department of Human Service Studies, Elon University.
authors: Cynthia D
authors: CD
authors: Fair
authors: Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Virginia.
authors: Jamie N
authors: JN
authors: Albright
authors: Philadelphia Fights.
authors: Devon M
authors: DM
authors: Clark
authors: Envolve Center for Health Behavior Change, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis.
authors: Bethany
authors: B
authors: Houpt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D000066502:Grandparents / Q000523:psychology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology; D057545:Social Stigma