MAINTAINING SAFER SEX BEHAVIORS IN HIV-INFECTED ADOLESCENTS WITH HEMOPHILIA

Adolescents with haemophilia comprise 44% of the reported AIDS cases i n teenagers. Unprotected sexual intercourse among this group increases the risk of HIV transmission. Understanding the influences which othe rs may have on the sexual behaviour of adolescents with HIV and haemop hilia may lead to the development of effective risk reduction strategi es. An evaluative instrument, administered to 307 HIV-infected adolesc ents with haemophilia, assessed their behavioural stage of change (Pro chaska & DiClemente), attitudes, beliefs and behaviours about safer se x practices. The influence of parents, peers and sexual partners on se xual behaviour was compared between (1) those who were sexually experi enced and (2) and those who were sexually inexperienced. Barriers and facilitators to practising safer sex were identified. Although parents influenced the sexual behaviour of both groups, this influence was si gnificantly greater in the sexually inactive group. Fewer than 20% rep orted that their peers impacted their decisions about sexual behaviour . Eighty-six per cent of the sexually active indicated that partners s ignificantly impacted their sexual decisions, while 60% of the sexuall y inactive indicated that future partners would affect their decisions about sex. Most participants agreed that disclosure of HIV status bef ore intercourse was desirable, but only 31% of the sexually active sai d they told every partner. Fear of rejection or a negative reaction fr om the partner, and lack of communication skills were the greatest bar riers to disclosure of HIV status and practising safer sex. This study indicates that behavioural interventions for both groups should focus on developing communication skills and self-efficacy. Interventions s hould include the key influences for each group-parents for the sexual ly inactive and partners for the sexually active.