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Diura-Vere O, Mokgatle MM, Oguntibeju OO. Sexual Behaviour and Attitudes towards Safe Sex of Youth Receiving Antiretroviral Care at Public Health Facilities in Palapye District, Botswana. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3790. [PMID: 36900803 PMCID: PMC10001564 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20053790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexual behaviour of HIV-infected youths is very important in determining the direction of the HIV epidemic, as these youths are reservoirs of HIV and can propagate its transmission if they engage in risky sexual behaviours. However, support structures for secondary prevention are weak even in healthcare settings. There is a need to understand the sexual behaviour of these youths and, in turn, tailor appropriate secondary prevention strategies, hence the current study was designed to assess sexual behaviour and attitudes towards safe sex of youth receiving antiretroviral care at public health facilities in Palapye district, Botswana. METHOD This quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional survey was used to describe the sexual behaviour and attitudes towards safe sex and identify factors associated with risky sexual behaviours among HIV-infected youths aged between 15 and 19 years receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) care from public healthcare facilities in Palapye District, Botswana. RESULTS A total of 188 youths participated in this study, 56% being females while 44% were males. We reported that 15.4% had ever had sex. At their last sexual encounter, more than half of the youths (51.7%) had not used condoms. More than a third of the participants were under the influence of alcohol during their last sexual experience. Generally, the youths had good attitudes towards safe sex, as most youths said they would prioritise protecting their sexual partners and themselves from HIV and STIs. Alcohol use, substance use and not considering religion as important were strongly associated with having ever had sex. CONCLUSIONS A significant proportion of HIV-infected youths are sexually active, whereas their preventive practices such as condom use are poor despite good attitudes towards safe sex. Alcohol use, substance use and not perceiving religion as important were associated with risky sexual behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onai Diura-Vere
- Department of Public Health, School of Health Care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa 0208, South Africa
| | - Mathildah M. Mokgatle
- Department of Public Health, School of Health Care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa 0208, South Africa
| | - Oluwafemi O. Oguntibeju
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville 7535, South Africa
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Ritchwood TD, Malo V, Jones C, Metzger IW, Atujuna M, Marcus R, Conserve DF, Handler L, Bekker LG. Healthcare retention and clinical outcomes among adolescents living with HIV after transition from pediatric to adult care: a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1195. [PMID: 32746881 PMCID: PMC7398377 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09312-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Adolescents living with HIV (ALWH) who transition from pediatric to adult care face several challenges that increase their risk of experiencing treatment interruptions and being lost to HIV care with resultant increased morbidity and mortality. To date, few studies have examined their outcomes post-healthcare transition (HCT), precluding the development and dissemination of evidence-based interventions aimed at retaining ALWH in HIV care both during and after HCT. We conducted a systematic review to synthesize the outcomes of ALWH post-HCT to provide suggestions for future directions. Methods We systematically searched several electronic databases through October 2019 using keywords for HIV, HCT and ALWH. We categorized studies by target population, country (i.e., upper-high income and low-middle income), study design (i.e., descriptive, mixed methods, quantitative), outcomes measured, and follow-up period. Results A total of 24 studies met inclusion criteria. Studies were categorized according to the following HCT outcomes: retention in HIV care post-HCT (n = 13), changes in CD4+ count and viral load post-HCT (n = 16), and mortality among ALWH post-HCT (n = 7). Most studies (n = 11) examining retention in HIV care indicated that more than 70% of ALWH were retained in care 1–2 years post-HCT while the remaining studies (n = 2) reported retention rates less than 55%. While studies indicated that CD4+ counts and viral loads tended to worsen during the first few years post-HCT, these differences were often not statistically significant. Among all ALWH who transitioned to adult care, a small proportion died within their first seven years post-HCT. Among qualitative studies, common themes included transition readiness (n = 6), provider-patient relationship in the adult clinic setting (n = 6), and concern about the adult clinic setting (n = 4). Conclusions Transition outcomes were poorest for ALWH with unsuppressed viremia pre-HCT, suggesting that this subgroup of ALWH may need greater support from their treatment teams and caregivers during and post-HCT to improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiarney D Ritchwood
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Duke University, 2200 W Main St, Durham, NC, 27705, USA. .,Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Vincenzo Malo
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Cameron Jones
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Isha W Metzger
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Millicent Atujuna
- Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Cape Town, Institute of Infectious Disease, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Rebecca Marcus
- Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Cape Town, Institute of Infectious Disease, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Donaldson F Conserve
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Lara Handler
- School of Information and Library Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Linda-Gail Bekker
- Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Cape Town, Institute of Infectious Disease, Cape Town, South Africa
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Achora S, Thupayagale-Tshweneagae G, Akpor OA, Mashalla YJS. Perceptions of adolescents and teachers on school-based sexuality education in rural primary schools in Uganda. SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE 2018; 17:12-18. [PMID: 30193714 DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence-based sexuality education programmes are a cornerstone in reducing adolescent sexual risk behaviours and promoting sexual health. Several initiatives aimed at reducing sexual and reproductive problems among adolescents have been done. These initiatives include life skill education and abstinence program. Despite these initiatives teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and abortion are still common among school going adolescents. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of adolescents and teachers regarding school-based sexuality education in rural primary schools. METHODS A purposive sample was drawn from primary school-going adolescents aged 12-16 years and teachers aged 28-52 in four rural schools. Eleven audio taped individual interviews and eight focus group discussions were used to collect data. A constant comparison method of data analysis was applied by following the Strauss and Corbin (1998) analysis process of open, axial and selective coding to analyse textual qualitative data until themes, categories and sub-categories were identified and developed. RESULTS Data analysis revealed that adolescents benefitted from School Based Sexuality Education but the implementation of programmes was undermined by physical and contextual factors such as challenges at national, institutional, community, family and individual levels. CONCLUSION It is vital to review the teaching and learning resources and to fully integrate sexuality education into the formal school curriculum. A combined effort of major stakeholders including teachers, community leaders, adolescents, healthcare professionals and parents is needed for sexuality education among adolescents to succeed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Achora
- Department of Health Studies, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, 0003 Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Oluwaseyi A Akpor
- Department of Health Studies, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, 0003 Pretoria, South Africa.
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Cruz MLS, Cardoso CA. Perinatally infected adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus (perinatally human immunodeficiency virus). World J Virol 2015; 4:277-284. [PMID: 26279988 PMCID: PMC4534818 DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v4.i3.277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The availability of highly potent antiretroviral treatment during the last decades has transformed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection into a chronic disease. Children that were diagnosed during the first months or years of life and received treatment, are living longer and better and are presently reaching adolescence and adulthood. Perinatally HIV-infected adolescents (PHIV) and young adults may present specific clinical, behavior and social characteristics and demands. We have performed a literature review about different aspects that have to be considered in the care and follow-up of PHIV. The search included papers in the MEDLINE database via PubMed, located using the keywords “perinatally HIV-infected” AND “adolescents”. Only articles published in English or Portuguese from 2003 to 2014 were selected. The types of articles included original research, systematic reviews, and quantitative or qualitative studies; case reports and case series were excluded. Results are presented in the following topics: “Puberal development and sexual maturation”, “Growth in weight and height”, “Bone metabolism during adolescence”, “Metabolic complications”, “Brain development, cognition and mental health”, “Reproductive health”, “Viral drug resistance” and “Transition to adult outpatient care”. We hope that this review will support the work of pediatricians, clinicians and infectious diseases specialists that are receiving these subjects to continue treatment.
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Fair CD, Sullivan K, Gatto A. Indicators of transition success for youth living with HIV: perspectives of pediatric and adult infectious disease care providers. AIDS Care 2011; 23:965-70. [PMID: 21390882 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2010.542449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Rates of HIV infection among adolescents in the US continues to rise, resulting in more individuals who must eventually transition from pediatric to adult care. It is critical that this process go smoothly to ensure continuity of care and to maximize patient outcomes. While research has examined youths' experiences with the transition process, disease-specific indicators of successful transition from pediatric to adult care remain undefined. Identifying indicators will facilitate the evaluation of transition processes, and, ultimately, the empirical determination of best practices. Interviews were conducted with 19 professionals who provide care for children and adults with HIV in southeastern state in the US. Approximately half of the providers self-identified as pediatric care providers. Nine of those interviewed were nurses and physicians and 10 were social workers. Providers had been working in the field of HIV for an average of 11.2 years. Interviews were taped, transcribed, and coded for emergent themes. Providers who care for HIV-infected youth identified both behavior and seriologic indicators of succesful transitions. Behavioral indicators identified were keeping appointments, medication adherence, and demonstrating ownership of medical care. Providers also identified serological markers of a succesful transition, specifically,viral load and CD4 count. Findings provided valuable insight into the perspectives of infectious disease care providers on indicators of successful transition from pediatric to adult care for adolescents with HIV. This is an important first step in developing empirical evaluation measures for transition practices and models. Similar research should be conducted with other groups of providers to assess the generalizability of these findings. Additionally, future research should seek to operationalize the identified behavioral indicators and determine appropriate values to indicate success for all indicators.
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