Abstract #181  -  Understanding the needs of the first generation of youths living with HIV since birth: romantic relationships and sexual behaviours
Authors:   Presenting Author:   Professeure Mylène Fernet - Université du Québec à Montréal
Additional Authors:  Madame  Marie-Eve  Richard, Madame Kimberly  Wong, Professeure  Joanne  Otis, Professeur Joseph Josy Lévy, Dr Normand  Lapointe, Madame  Johanne  Samson, Madame  Guylaine  Morin, Professeure Jocelyne Thériault, Professeur Germain Trottier,
Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the romantic relationships and sexual behaviours of youths living with HIV since birth.
Method / Issue: This study included both qualitative and quantitative data. Eighteen youths aged 13 to 22 participated twice in individual semi-structured interviews within a three year interval at the Centre Maternel et Infantile sur le Sida du CHU Sainte-Justine in Montreal, Canada. In addition, the participants completed a questionnaire about their romantic relationships and sexual activities.
Results / Comments: All participants defined themselves as heterosexuals and all had experienced romantic feelings. Furthermore, 73% of girls and 100% of boys had French kissed a partner. In terms sexual practices, several had engaged in and/or experienced the caressing of breasts/genitals as well as cunnilingus/fellatio (64% for girls and 29% for boys, for both activities, respectively). More than half of the sample (n=18) had engaged in sexual intercourse (56%: 64% of girls, 42% of boys) and 43% of girls and 68% of boys had a current sexual partner at the time of the interview. The average age of first intercourse was 15 years old (14 years for girls, 15 years for boys). All youths reported using condoms. Moreover, 86% of girls and 100% of boys had used a condom during first intercourse. With steady partners, 86% of girls and 67% of boys reported to have always used condoms. As for casual partners, 71% of girls and 67% of boys reported consistent condom use. Qualitative data indicate that several participants chose to use condoms because they allowed them to avoid disclosing their HIV status. Some thought that the use of condoms interfered with intimacy and preferred not using them, while others would refuse an encounter if they did not have one, feeling that it was their responsibility to protect his/her partner. Regarding disclosure, only girls had told their partners of their HIV status (71% of all girls). Sixty percent of the girls that had disclosed their status had experienced rejection while 40% were well received. Finally, participants identified several fears that discouraged disclosure such as rejection, being misunderstood, betrayed or identified as a person living with HIV, or because of the possibility of infecting his/her partner. Participants stated that disclosure can only happen if certain conditions were met which include a serious relationship with a partner who is open minded and trustworthy.
Discussion: The first generation of youths living with HIV since birth deal with the same sexuality issues as their peers not infected. However, condom use brings added challenges which may be associated with issues of prevention and potential disclosures. Therefore, besides prevention interventions, psychosocial ones may be necessary to help address issues of constraints related to disclosure.
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