ABSTRACT
Gaps in knowledge remain related to understanding missed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) visits and youth with HIV (YWH). This study examined data from an Alabama academic HIV clinic with clients aged 16 to 24 years old and found that non virally suppressed and older YWH were associated with missed visits among YWH.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Adolescents are disproportionately burdened with HIV. Numerous barriers limit adolescent pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use for HIV prevention. We explored adolescent-caregiver perspectives on discussing sexual health and PrEP to inform future caregiver interventions as a possible strategy to promote PrEP use. METHODS: We conducted separate in-depth interviews with adolescents aged 14-18 living in Alabama and their parent/guardian (caregiver). Interviews explored attitudes about sex, knowledge and attitudes about HIV prevention and PrEP, and attitudes about PrEP communication within adolescent-caregiver groups. Thematic analysis of adolescent and caregiver interviews was conducted independently and then triangulated to compare shared themes. RESULTS: Nine adolescents and seven caregivers contributed to five dyads and two triads. Adolescents had a median age of 16 years (range 14-18); five were girls (55%), and five were non-Hispanic Black (55%). Most caregivers were mothers (5, 71%), non-Hispanic Black (5, 71%), with a median age of 41 (36-56) years. All adolescents expressed willingness to involve their caregiver around PrEP use. Major themes included as follows: 1) caregiver efforts to overcome cultural taboos about sex and sexuality foster adolescents' willingness to talk with caregivers about sex; 2) evolving societal norms and reflections on their own upbringings motivate caregivers to discuss and support adolescents with sexual health; and 3) caregivers desire to engage in sexual health discussions with providers and support their teens with PrEP. DISCUSSION: As socio-cultural norms around sex evolve, adolescent-caregiver discussions about sexual health and PrEP may be an opportunity to increase PrEP use and reduce HIV infections among select adolescent sub-populations.
Subject(s)
Anti-HIV Agents , Caregivers , HIV Infections , Health Behavior , Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis , Sexual Behavior , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Anti-HIV Agents/administration & dosage , Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use , Black People , HIV Infections/prevention & control , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Mothers , Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis/methods , Alabama , Mother-Child RelationsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Routine chlamydia screening is not readily available at all college campuses. OBJECTIVES: : To assess the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis among asymptomatic college students and to compare chlamydia positivity by selected demographic variables. METHODS: Analysis of demographical data collected on 789 students who volunteered for a urine screening of C. trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrheae infections at 10 colleges in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. RESULTS: The median age was 20 years. The chlamydia prevalence among all students was 9.7%. Students under the age of 20 years were 66% more likely to be infected than were older students (95% CI 1.01-2.73). Younger female students were 92% more likely to be infected than were older female students (95% CI 1.03-3.59). CONCLUSIONS: The chlamydia prevalence was higher in younger college students; more screening efforts and increased awareness are needed to reduce the prevalence of chlamydial infections among students.
