17th International AIDS Conference


Mexico City, Mexico - August 13 - 18, 2008

SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND PRACTICES AMONG PERINATALLY HIV-INFECTED ADOLESCENTS IN UGANDA: IMPLICATIONS FOR PROGRAMMING

Int Conf AIDS. 2008 Aug 13-18;17 Abstract No. MOAD0102

J. Kyegimbo Nyombi 1, H. Birungi2, J.F. Mugisha3
1TASO Uganda Ltd, Kampala, Uganda, 2FRONTIERS Program, Population Council, Nairobi, Kenya, 3Regional Center for Health of Quality Care, Kampala, Uganda

BACKGROUND: The sexual and reproductive health needs of the perinatally infected adolescents are largely unmet in Uganda as sexual and reproductive health programs are still around adult and pediatric care. Most programs assume that HIV-infected adolescents remain asexual and service providers usually advise against engaging in sexual relationships. The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) in Uganda supported by the FRONTIERS Program, Population Council initiated a diagnostic study. It was aimed at understanding adolescent sexuality (desires, experiences, beliefs, values and practices) and to identify fears they have around growing up, love and loving, dating, pregnancy, fatherhood, motherhood, relationships and intimacy.

METHODS: A survey was conducted in 2007 in Uganda among 732 adolescents aged 15-19 years who were perinatally HIV infected. Focus group discussions were conducted with 48 adolescents while 12 adolescents were interviewed in in-depth probes and ethnographic case stories.

RESULTS: The assumption by programs that perinatally infected adolescents are asexual is erroneous since 52% are in a relationship, while 33% had had sexual intercourse. 44% percent had a desire to have sex and 41% felt that there is no reason why an HIV infected person should not have sexual intercourse. Only 30% reported using condoms to prevent infecting their partner with HIV/STDs. Disclosure of sero- status to partner is poor. Only one-third had disclosed their HIV status to their partners. Perinatally infected adolescents also prefer HIV-negative partners. In the event of disclosure, partners continue the relationship even if they are discordant.

CONCLUSIONS: Preventive practices of perinatally infected adolescents are poor and therefore current HIV programs need to strengthen existing counseling packages and start providing information and services to sexually active and non-sexually adolescents. These should include negotiating disclosure, strengthening family planning, PMTCT and Life Skills. Overall, programs need to establish adolescent friendly services.

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2008-08-13
MOAD0102

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