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Risk-Taking Behaviors Among Vertically HIV-Infected Adolescents in Northern Thailand

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Baltimore, Maryland

Peninnah Oberdorfer, MD, PhD

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, aoberdor{at}med.cmu.ac.th

Purpose. To examine risk-taking behaviors and HIV self-disclosure among vertically HIV-infected adolescents in northern Thailand. Methods. A quantitative survey was conducted from 2007 to 2008 at 2 pediatric HIV clinics in northern Thailand among vertically HIV-infected adolescents aged 13 years, with disclosed HIV status. The survey assessed sociodemographics, substance use, sexual behavior, peer behaviors, knowledge, and attitudes regarding HIV disclosure. Results. Fifty-four adolescents (median age 14.6 years) participated; 18.5% reported previous alcohol use but none reported drug use; 35.2% reported presexual activity, and 3.7% reported sexual activity. Nearly all (96.3%) knew that HIV could be transmitted sexually, but knowledge regarding other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was poor. Nearly half (48.1%) had never disclosed their status to anyone. Conclusions. Rates of substance use and sexual activity were low in this population. STI knowledge was poor and diagnosis self-disclosure was infrequent. Improved sexual education and self-disclosure skills are needed among vertically HIV-infected adolescents in Thailand.

Key Words: risk-taking • HIV • adolescent • self-disclosure • Thailand

This version was published on July 1, 2009

Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC), Vol. 8, No. 4, 221-228 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1545109709341082


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