Sexual Health Knowledge in a Sample of Perinatally HIV-Infected and Perinatally Exposed Uninfected Youth

  • Olga Gromadzka
  • , E. Karina Santamaria
  • , Jessica M. Benavides
  • , Curtis Dolezal
  • , Katherine S. Elkington
  • , Cheng Shiun Leu
  • , Mary McKay
  • , Elaine J. Abrams
  • , Andrew Wiznia
  • , Mahrukh Bamji
  • , Claude Ann Mellins

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study describes sexual health knowledge in perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV+) and perinatally exposed uninfected (PHIV−) ethnic-minority youth, aged 9–16 years, residing in New York City (N = 316). Data on youth sexual health knowledge (e.g., pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, 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 of 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 (β = .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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)277-293
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of HIV/AIDS and Social Services
Volume14
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 3 2015

Keywords

  • adolescents
  • HIV
  • perinatal infection
  • STD knowledge

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