Abstract
IntroductionAs HIV infected adolescents mature into adulthood, they are confronted with issues related to sexuality and sexual reproductive health (SRH). An estimated 68,000 adolescents aged 10-19 years are living with HIV in Zambia. The current study explores their sexuality and SRH experience and needs.MethodsThis was a mixed method analytical cross-sectional study. Adolescents at a tertiary hospital were surveyed on their sexuality and SRH experiences. Bivariate analyses on SPSS were used to assess factors associated with selected behaviors. Emerging themes from open-ended questions qualitative data were explored using content analysis.ResultsA total of 148 adolescents (63.5% females) aged 15-19 years were surveyed. Majority (77.0%) had secondary education; 77.2% currently in school; 40.1 % had a boy or girlfriend; 15.1% have ever had sex, of whom only 61.1 % reported consistent condom use. About 68.9 % expressed intention to have children; 2.1% of girls had been pregnant before. Of 52 respondents, 19.2% had a sexually transmitted infection (STI) before. Not being in school was a significant predictor, for knowing where to access information about sex (OR= 2.53; 95% CI:1.10-5.82; p=0.02), and also for ever gone there (OR=2.61; 95% CI:1.04-6.58; p=0.03).ConclusionThe survey of HIV infected adolescents attending a tertiary hospital in Zambia found that their sexuality and SRH needs remain similar to those of the general adolescent population in terms of counseling in sexual matters, family planning and STI services. More efforts are needed to provide for adolescent health care needs, especially those living with HIV.
Highlights
As HIV infected adolescents mature into adulthood, they are confronted with issues related to sexuality and sexual reproductive health (SRH)
Like with general adolescent populations [7, 14], studies show that, those living with HIV are beginning to explore their sexuality, are dating and some are becoming sexually active [1518]
Regarding a source of health information, 140 (94.6%) adolescents indicated at least one source, while 8 (5.4%) didn’t answer
Summary
As HIV infected adolescents mature into adulthood, they are confronted with issues related to sexuality and sexual reproductive health (SRH). An estimated 68,000 adolescents aged 10-19 years are living with HIV in Zambia. The current study explores their sexuality and SRH experience and needs. Adolescents at a tertiary hospital were surveyed on their sexuality and SRH experiences. Conclusion: The survey of HIV infected adolescents attending a tertiary hospital in Zambia found that their sexuality and SRH needs remain similar to those of the general adolescent population in terms of counseling in sexual matters, family planning and STI services. In Zambia, estimated 13.3% of the population aged 15-49 years are currently living with HIV/AIDS [3]. Adolescents 10-19 years old are especially affected by the AIDS epidemic in Zambia, with about 68,000 (60,000 – 80,000) estimated to be infected by end of 2015 [1]. With increasing access to antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, many more perinatally infected children are reaching adolescence [4,5,6]
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