HIV Disclosure and Sexual Health Among Adolescents

Adolescents living with HIV face multifaceted challenges as they negotiate both the personal disclosure of their HIV status and the maintenance of sexual health. Disclosure is a dynamic process that can occur at multiple points: initial awareness of one’s status, sharing with family or peers, and disclosure to sexual partners. The timing and context of disclosure influence psychosocial outcomes, adherence to antiretroviral therapy and the adoption of safe sexual practices. Effective disclosure can foster social support, enhance self-esteem and facilitate informed decision-making. Conversely, anticipated stigma and fear of rejection often lead to delayed or partial disclosure, undermining adherence and increasing the risk of onward transmission. Sexual health among this group is equally complex, encompassing sexual debut, condom use, partner selection and reproductive desires. Many adolescents with perinatal HIV report inconsistent condom use and nondisclosure to partners, exposing them and others to potential risks. Interventions that integrate psychosocial support with education on sexual and reproductive health have demonstrated promise in promoting safer behaviours. A global perspective reveals that cultural norms, healthcare infrastructure and social support networks critically shape disclosure and sexual health outcomes. In resource-constrained settings, structural barriers such as limited access to adolescent-friendly services and entrenched stigma further exacerbate vulnerabilities. Addressing the interplay between disclosure and sexual health requires coordinated efforts spanning clinical care, community engagement and policy interventions to empower adolescents and safeguard their health.

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HIV Disclosure and Sexual Health Among Adolescents publication trend

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Technical terms

Perinatal transmission: HIV infection acquired by an infant from the mother during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART): Combination of medications that suppress HIV replication and preserve immune function.

Stigma: Social disapproval or discrimination directed towards individuals based on their HIV status.

Sexual risk-taking: Engagement in sexual behaviours that increase the likelihood of HIV transmission, such as inconsistent condom use and multiple partners.

Disclosure: The act of revealing one’s HIV-positive status to others, including family, peers or sexual partners.

References

1. Social effects of HIV disclosure, an ongoing challenge in young adults living with perinatal HIV: a qualitative study. Frontiers in Public Health (2023).
2. “We Are Not Different than Others”: A Qualitative Study of the Lived Experience of Hispanic Adolescents and Young Adults Living with Perinatally Acquired HIV. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2023).
3. Sex in the shadow of HIV: A systematic review of prevalence, risk factors, and interventions to reduce sexual risk-taking among HIV-positive adolescents and youth in sub-Saharan Africa. PLOS ONE (2017).