Intimacy and perceptions of sexual-self among minority adolescents living with HIV

BACKGROUND: Given the recent advances in antiretroviral treatment in the US, individuals living with HIV are increasingly living productive, fulfilling and longer lives. Therefore, in order to meet the comprehensive healthcare needs of adolescents living with HIV, more attention must be paid to the other facets of living with HIV, such as the formation of intimate relationships. Forming intimate relationships is a crucial part of healthy adolescent development.

METHODS: From 2004-2007, sixty in-depth interviews were conducted with 16-24 year old African-American and Latino adolescents with behaviorally acquired HIV infection. Sixty-one percent of this cohort is African-American and thirty-three percent are Latino. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, coded and analyzed using Atlas.ti 4.2. Seventy-six percent of respondents reported 1-3 sexual partners in the past 3 months.

RESULTS: Adolescents with behaviorally acquired HIV reported that establishing romantic relationships can be difficult, however, this varied among youth. Specific views on intimacy and ‘sexual-self' often varied over time after HIV diagnosis. Some reported that uncertainty about future life expectancy served as a catalyst for engagement in intimate relationships. Protective behaviors within these intimate relationships also varied among youth with almost one quarter reporting not using condoms at last intercourse.

CONCLUSION: Therapeutic interventions are warranted to assist adolescents living with HIV to overcome difficulties in resuming healthy sexual relationships. Further, it may be useful to understand that there are variations in sexual intimacy and perception of sexual-self that vary according to time after diagnosis.