Sexual Health Knowledge in a Sample of Perinatally HIV-Infected and Perinatally Exposed Uninfected Youth.

This study describes sexual health knowledge in perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV+) and perinatally exposed uninfected (PHIV−) ethnic-minority youth, aged 9–16 years, residing in New York City (N = 316). Data on youth sexual health knowledge (e.g., pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, birth control) and caregiver–adolescent communication about sexual health were examined. Participants in both groups answered only 35% of the sexual health knowledge questions correctly (mean = 6.6 of 19). Higher scores were found among youth who reported more communication about sex with caregivers (vs. those who did not report talking about sex with caregivers; 8.54 vs. 5.84,p < .001) and among PHIV+ youth who were aware of their status (vs. PHIV+ youth who were not; 7.27 vs. 4.70,p < .001). Age was positively correlated with sexual health knowledge (β = .489,p < .001). Both PHIV+ and PHIV− youth had poor sexual health knowledge, suggesting a need for sexual health education for both groups. Data suggest that interventions focused on caregiver–child risk communication may be important for prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]