Sexual and Reproductive Health for young HIV positive adolescents
1 September 2011
Access to antiretroviral treatment has meant that increasing numbers of perinatally-infected children are now entering adolescence. Emphasis on the scale up of antiretroviral treatment has however tended to overshadow other important needs.
These young people face unique challenges related to their HIV positive status, most notably around issues of sex and sexuality.
Perinatally-infected adolescents are no different from their non-infected peers in terms of the concerns that are typical at this stage of development, for example starting to form romantic relationships and explore their sexuality.
However their experiences are often clouded by fears about status disclosure and rejection, transmission of the virus, re-infection and worries about their future role as a husband, wife, partner or parent.
Opportunities to talk openly and honestly about their sexuality are limited. This topic is often regarded as taboo by parents and caregivers. Furthermore, HIV infected adolescents do not always get support from healthcare providers either who often lack the knowledge and skills to address the sexual and reproductive health issues of this population.
This manual gives guidance and direction to healthcare workers who recognise that sexual and reproductive health is a critical component of adolescent service provision.
It responds to needs for information about legal and other aspects of sexual and reproductive health, providing an invaluable resource for use in either a clinic or community setting.
Importantly, it is aimed at very young HIV infected adolescents (10-14 years), a group that is frequently overlooked, and provides a window of opportunity to lay the foundations for future sexual and reproductive health.
Addressing a wide range of relevant topics it sets out to build adolescent knowledge and understanding of sexual and reproductive issues in a way that is age-appropriate, entertaining and contextually relevant.
Perhaps, most significantly, it is informed by young adolescents themselves. Young people in urban and rural settings told us what they know and what they want to know. This manual speaks to their needs for information, support and guidance.