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Abstract #161577

Tiphani Burrell-Piggott, MA, MPH, DrPHcand¹, Alexandra Duncan, MPH, DrPHcand¹, Nancy VanDevanter, DrPH, RN², and Karolynn Siegel, PhD³. (1) Sociomedical Sciences Department, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, 212-342-0261, ttb2103@columbia.edu, (2) New York University College of Nursing and Dentistry, 246 Green Street, New York, NY 10003, (3) Center for the Psychosocial Study of Health & Illness, Columbia University, 100 Haven Avenue, Suite 6A, New York, NY 10032

BACKGROUND: 25% of new HIV infections occur among individuals under age 22 and 50% occur among those under age 26. One quarter of all HIV cases in the US are found in the New York/ New Jersey region. With the advances in HIV treatment, young people with HIV are living longer lives and have hopes and desires similar to other adolescents. The desire to have children and the reproductive needs of young people living with HIV are not well understood.

METHODS: Sixty youth living with behaviorally-acquired HIV/AIDS (61% African-American and 33% Latino) were recruited from five adolescent HIV medical clinics throughout NYC between 2004 and 2006. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted, audio-taped, transcribed, thematically coded by two independent coders (Kappa .85) entered into Atlas.ti software and analyzed.

RESULTS: A significant proportion of young women and men with HIV expressed a desire to have children. A 19 year old male participant said “I want a family for sure and before I die I'm going to raise one” and HIV “inspired me to have a child even more.” Some youth articulated sophisticated protective strategies such as sperm washing, surrogate mothers, artificial insemination, and adoption, to preserve their health, and that of their partners and future children.

CONCLUSION: Many young people with HIV have similar life goals as their HIV-negative counterparts, which includes having a life partner and children. Providers and communities need to be aware of these desires and provide appropriate support and counseling regarding family and child-bearing goals.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.Articulate child-bearing and family goals of young men and women living with HIV.
• 2.Describe some of the common concerns of young people living with HIV.
• 3.Describe the prevalence of HIV among US teens and young people.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Reproductive Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.