Comparing Sexual Reproductive Health Needs and Practices in Relation to their HIV Sero-Status :

Abstract

Introduction: This study compared the sexual reproductive health needs and practices of HIV positive and HIV negative adolescents in Tororo district. The independent variable being HIV sero-status of the adolescents and sexual reproductive health needs and practices of these adolescents the dependent variable with the following specific objectives; 1. To compare the prevalence of condom use among HIV positive and HIV negative adolescents in Tororo district. 2. To compare the prevalence of pregnancy/impregnation among HIV positive and HIV negative adolescents in Tororo district. 3. To comparatively identify possible HIV risky behavior and practices among HIV positive and HIV negative adolescents. 4. To comparatively assess attitudes of HIV positive and HIV negative adolescents towards HIV prevention. Methodology: Causal comparative study design using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. Random samples of 99 HIV positive adolescents drawn from TASO Tororo and 99 HIV negative adolescents from Reproductive Health Uganda’s VCT and Youth center Tororo; aged 10-19, aware of their HIV sero-status. Data entered in SPSS and analyzed using Pearson Chi-square test. Findings: No significant difference in the prevalence of condom use, no significant difference in the prevalence of pregnancy/impregnation and no significant difference in HIV risky behavior and practices among HIV positive and HIV negative adolescents. However, there was significant difference in their attitude towards HIV prevention. Recommendations Both HIV positive and negative adolescents need heightened prevention interventions as many data continue to engage in risky behaviors like multiple partnering, having sexual partners of unknown HIV sero status and non-disclosure of HIV sero status to sexual partners. Teachers, parents and other care providers to adolescents and especially to the HIV positive adolescents need to be empowered with knowledge and skills on the sexual reproductive health needs of these adolescents. The HIV prevention message appropriate for adolescents in the age group 10-14 is abstinence as the majority here is not sexually active. Abstinence as HIV prevention measure is not adopted by many adolescents in the age group 15-19 and therefore service providers to adolescents should rather along with abstinence emphasize safer sex practices. Strategies to prevent adolescent pregnancy including community programs to improve social development, responsible sexual behavior education and improved contraceptive counseling should be implemented at the family and community level. Further research needs to be replicated in other geographical areas with adolescent samples not in care and employ a study design which could probably control factors like window period for the HIV negative adolescent group.