Young People Living with HIV: Sex and Relationships
Joy Cunningham Senior Technical Officer, Research UtilizationFHI 360
Young people living with HIV, like all young people, are sexually active or curious
YPLHIV need comprehensive information to:
• Prepare for lifetime of healthy, safe, pleasurable relationships
• Prevent unintended pregnancy and plan for pregnancy
• Prevent transmission of HIV/STIs
• Prevent reinfection
Framing the Issue—Sexual Behavior Among YPLHIV
• Mixed data on age of sexual debut
• Rates of sexual activity are consistent with other adolescents
• YPLHIV may engage in riskier sexual behavior
• Rate of pregnancy consistent with other adolescents
Framing the Issue—Relationships
I told my boyfriend after I found out. He was like ‘ok’ but I haven’t heard from him since.”—Female, Kenya
“My girlfriend loves me very much. I love her too and I don’t want to hurt her. I think she would be afraid of me if she knows I am an HIV person. So I broke up with her without any explanation. I think she still loves me.”— Male, Vietnam
“I wonder where I would be if I didn’t get this disease? Maybe I would be married, if I wasn’t positive now.”—Female, Kenya
“I’m even thinking about another baby in 2 years.”— Female, Kenya
Promising Approaches
• Support groups
• Parental and adult involvement
• Peer education
• Youth-friendly services
• Engaging YPLHIV
Challenges
• Addressing the lack of providers who are
sensitive to the needs of YPLHIV
• Recognizing the needs of young people who acquire HIV during adolescence
• Reaching vulnerable and MAR/key affected populations
• Meeting the specific needs of young married girls living with HIV
Unanswered Questions
• How can we apply promising practices in youth sexual and reproductive health to meet the needs of YPLHIV?
• How can we engage highly vulnerable populations?
• What types of research can be conducted to better understand the sexual and reproductive health behaviors of YPLHIV?
Thank You
www.iywg.org, @IYWG, [email protected]
Positive Connections: Leading Information and Support Groups for Adolescents Living with HIV
• Developed by FHI 360
• Available in fall of 2012
• Provides adult facilitators with background information about the needs of ALHIV
• Tips for starting and leading an information and support group
• 14 sessions to be used in a group setting
• Guidance on tracking a program’s progress and success
Promoting Partner Reduction: Helping Young People Understand and Avoid HIV Risks from Multiple Partnerships
• Developed by FHI 360
• Available in fall of 2012
• Set of activities designed to help young people understand and reduce multiple sexual partnerships
• Developed for use in conjunction with sexual reproductive health, HIV, or related youth program