Health Risk Behaviors among HIV-Infected Youth in Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Purpose To describe health risk behaviors, including sexual risk, alcohol/substance use, and medication adherence in HIV-infected youth in Bangkok. Despite the high burden of HIV in developing countries compared with developed countries, considerably more information is available in the latter compared with the former regarding adolescent health risk behaviors. Currently there is no information on health risk behaviors among HIV-infected youth in Thailand. Methods HIV-infected Thai youth 16–25 years of age were enrolled. Participants were seen at a baseline visit and a 3-month visit to assess health risk behaviors. The interviews were completed at both visits. Results There were 29 men and 41 women. Twenty-eight participants (40%) were on antiretroviral therapy at baseline visit. Mean adherence was 94.3–98.2% over the past month and 90.9–96.3% over the past 3 months, though up to one-third reported less than 95% adherence. The proportion of youth with consistent condom use in the previous 30 days at baseline (55.6%) was comparable to the proportion at 3-month visit (58.3%) ( p = 1.0). Men were more likely to have a partner with unknown human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status and were less likely to disclose HIV status to their partners. Forty-nine youth (70.0%) had used alcohol in the past 12 months; nine (12.9%) had used more than 20 times. Approximately 1/4 had used alcohol in the previous 30 days at baseline and at 3-month visit. Substance use besides cigarettes was uncommon. Conclusion Levels of treatment adherence were high among Thai youth receiving antiretroviral therapy. Alcohol use was prevalent, though other drug use was not. Sexual acts without a condom in both genders and nondisclosure among males were concerning. Interventions focusing on sexual risk reduction for HIV-infected youth are needed and must be scaled up in Thailand.