Purpose

Today, youth living with perinatal HIV (YLPHIV) have grown-up receiving antiretroviral treatment. We determine the frequency of sexual intercourse initiation and associated factors among YLPHIV in Thailand.

Methods

YLPHIV age between 15 and < 25 years were recruited from either HIV clinics or the community via youth networks from Dec 2017 to Feb 2018. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire on a mobile device. The questionnaire included demographic and socioeconomic background, their lifetime sexual and adolescent behaviors, reasons for not having sexual intercourse, and future plans for sexual intercourse. Comparisons between sexes, age groups, and sexual experiences were made; logistic regression was used to identify associated factors.

Results

A total of 120 YLPHIV were enrolled; 58 (48%) were female. Their mean ± SD age and duration on ART were 20.3 ± 2.6 and 12.7 ± 3.0 years, respectively. Thirty-six (30%) reported having initiated sexual intercourse by the time of the study; 61 (51%) reported being in romantic relationships, and 58 (48%) reported having sexual contact. The only factor associated with sexual intercourse initiation based on the multivariate analysis was going out after midnight (odds ratio 3.968, 95% CI 1.540–10.226; p = 0.004). Among those who had not initiated sexual intercourse, the top three reasons for not initiating sexual intercourse were concern for their parents’ feelings (76%), not wanting to get sexually transmitted diseases (70%), and not wanting to spread HIV to others (62%). Half of YLPHIV who had not initiated sexual intercourse reported being uncertain whether, or when to have sex in the future.

Conclusions

Sexual intercourse initiation and adolescent behaviors are part of growing-up for YLPHIV. Sexual education and HIV knowledge that are both age-appropriate and culturally appropriate should be included in HIV services, and counseling sessions to help these youths to plan for their future safely and responsibly.

中文翻译：

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泰国围生期感染HIV的青年人的性交启动和青少年行为

目的

如今，患有围产期艾滋病毒（YLPHIV）的年轻人已经长大，接受抗逆转录病毒治疗。我们确定在泰国YLPHIV中性交的起始频率和相关因素。

方法

从2017年12月至2018年2月，通过青年网络从HIV诊所或社区招募了15至<25岁的YLPHIV。使用移动设备上的自我管理问卷收集数据。问卷包括人口统计学和社会经济背景，他们一生的性行为和青少年行为，不进行性交的原因以及性交的未来计划。对性别，年龄段和性经历进行了比较；逻辑回归用于确定相关因素。

结果

总共招募了120名YLPHIV；58名（48％）是女性。他们在ART上的平均±SD年龄和持续时间分别为20.3±2.6和12.7±3.0岁。三十六（30％）的人报告说，在进行此项研究时已开始进行性行为；61（51％）表示有恋爱关系，58（48％）表示有性接触。基于多元分析的唯一与性交相关的因素是午夜后出院（赔率3.968，95％CI 1.540-10.226；p = 0.004）。在未开始性交的人中，未开始性交的三大原因是对父母的感情的担忧（76％），不愿遭受性传播疾病（70％）以及不愿将艾滋病毒传播给他人（62％）。尚未进行性行为的YLPHIV的一半报告不确定未来是否或何时发生性行为。

结论

性交的启动和青少年行为是YLPHIV成长过程的一部分。应当在年龄和文化方面适当的性教育和艾滋病知识包括在艾滋病服务中，并提供咨询课程，以帮助这些年轻人安全和负责任地为自己的未来做计划。