Risk behaviors of youth living with HIV: pre- and post-HAART

Am J Health Behav. 2005 Mar-Apr;29(2):162-71. doi: 10.5993/ajhb.29.2.7.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the transmission behavior among youth living with HIV (YLH), pre- and post-HAART.

Methods: Two cohorts were recruited: (1) 349 YLH during 1994 to 1996 and (2) 175 YLH during 1999 to 2000, after the wide availability of HAART. Differences in sexual and substance-use risk acts and quality of life were examined.

Results: Post-HAART YLH were more likely to engage in unprotected sex and substance use, to be more emotionally distressed, and to have lower quality of life than were pre-HAART YLH.

Conclusions: Targeted interventions for YLH that address reductions in transmission acts and aim to improve quality of life are still needed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active* / methods
  • Attitude to Health
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Life Change Events
  • Male
  • Quality of Life
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents