ABSTRACT
Background Over three quarters of all new HIV infections among 15-24 year old adolescents and young people globally take place in sub-Saharan Africa. As this growing cohort becomes older, understanding and meeting their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs is critical, particularly in light of COVID-19 healthcare and social disruptions. However, few studies have documented these outcomes among adolescents in resource-limited settings, with none reporting data from longitudinal cohorts. Summary This talk summarises what we know about the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly experiences of pregnancy, motherhood and relationships. It draws from findings of a review of SRHR experiences of adolescents and young people living with HIV, complemented by analyses of two large community- traced cohort: the Mzantsi Wakho ('Your South Africa') and HEY BABY (Helping Empower Youth Brought up in Adversity with their Babies and Young children) studies in South Africa. The Mzantsi Wakho cohort conducted three waves of data collection with over 1,600 adolescents and young people living with HIV (93%-97% retained at each wave), 1,064 of whom were living with HIV since baseline. The HEY BABY study recruited over 1,000 adolescent and young women who had their first child <20 years old, 315 of whom were living with HIV. Qualitative data from COVID-19 related research with two Teen Advisory Groups in South Africa and Kenya will also be shared to highlight sexual and reproductive health service provision and access experiences of young people and their healthcare providers.