161582 Reproductive health decision making among HIV-infected and at-risk adolescent females: Predictors of pregnancy and contraceptive use

Monday, November 5, 2007

Catharyn Alva Turner II , William Bean Learning Community, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA
Ligia Peralta, MD , Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Casa Ruben, Baltimore, MD
Purpose: This study seeks to determine factors that influence the decisions of HIV+ and HIV- adolescent females regarding pregnancy and contraception.

Methods: Forty-four adolescent females, [14 HIV+ and 30 HIV-], attending an urban primary health care facility, exclusively serving adolescents aged 12-24, were interviewed about their attitudes regarding sexual activity, contraception, and pregnancy. An additional interview was conducted with 27 participants (10 HIV+ and 17 HIV-) reporting previous or current pregnancy. Statistical group comparisons were made, using appropriate parametric and non-parametric methods.

Results: Significantly fewer HIV+ adolescent females reported currently being in school, or having finished high school (35.7%) than their HIV- peers (73.3% p=.017). HIV+ participants reported significantly higher risk-taking behavior in several categories. HIV+ respondents reported a mean of 27.7 lifetime sexual partners while their HIV- peers reported a mean of 7.2 partners (p=.005). HIV+ participants reported believing they would have trouble becoming pregnant at higher rates than their HIV- peers (71.4% and 37.9% respectively, p=.041). All HIV+ adolescent women agreed that breastfeeding represented a risk for vertical HIV transmission (100%) when compared to their HIV- peers (64%, p=.038).

Conclusion: HIV+ adolescent women report having interrupted or incomplete education at higher rates than their HIV- peers. They also report having a greater knowledge of HIV transmission risk factors, while also reporting greater engagement in high-risk behavior affecting their health such as, multiple sexual partners, drug use, and lack of hormonal contraceptive use. Supported in part by USPHS Health Disparities Program MD00532 and RO1 HD37785.

Learning Objectives:
Identify factors that influence the use of contraception among adolescent females. Recognize risk factors associated with HIV+ adolescent females becoming pregnant.

Keywords: Adolescents, 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.

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