Sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents perinatally infected with HIV in Uganda

However, the sexual and reproductive health needs of this unique and rapidly increasing population are largely unmet. In Uganda, the HIV/AIDS treatment, care and support programs are still organized around either adult or pediatric care and fail to adequately address the needs of this growing segment of the population that usually falls between these two groups. Most programs assume that HIV-infected young people remain asexual. Service providers and counselors usually advise perinatally infected adolescents not to engage in sexual relationships. This study, implemented jointly by the Population Council"s Frontiers in Reproductive Health (FRONTIERS) program and the AIDS Support Organization (TASO), involved qualitative research and a survey of 732 perinatally HIV-infected girls and boys aged 15-19 years in four districts of Uganda (Kampala, Wakiso, Masaka and Jinja). Its aim was to better understand the reproductive health and sexuality (desires, experiences, beliefs, values and practices) of this population group, and to identify anxieties or fears they have around growing up, love and loving, dating, pregnancy, fatherhood, motherhood, relationships and intimacy that could be addressed through programmatic solutions tailored to their unique needs. (Author abstract, modified)