HIV is always with me: men living with perinatally acquired HIV and planning their families

Psychometrics of the Children's Report of Parental Behavior Inventory among caregivers and youth with HIV

Parenting has been implicated in a range of youth health outcomes. Positive parenting during adolescence, a critical period of developmental change, may equip youth with the necessary tools for their transition into adulthood and, for youth living with HIV, their transition from pediatric HIV care into adult HIV care. Yet, because few studies have carefully assessed the psychometric properties of parenting instruments applied cross-culturally, the validity of parenting research derived in these contexts remains unclear. This study tested the factor structure of the Children's Report of Parenting Behavior Inventory (CRPBI) in a novel setting (e.g., Rwanda), context (e.g., youth with HIV), and considering multiple informants (caregivers and youth). Youth (N = 330) were on average 16.78 years of age; 51% self-identified as female. Caregivers (N = 330) were on average 44.40 years of age; 80% self-identified as female. The factor structures for youth and caregiver CRPBIs appeared to be indicative of two dimensions: (a) acceptance and positive involvement, and (b) hostile detachment and rejection. The CRPBI worked well for youth reports and showed predictive validity. The CRPBI worked less well for caregivers, necessitating the removal of 10 items, seven of which were related to hostile detachment and rejection. The reliability of both CRPBIs was supported. The CRPBI appears to function well for youth, but not as well for caregivers, in this novel context with this unique population of youth with HIV. The findings support careful assessment of instruments developed in high-resource settings and then used in resource-constrained contexts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Sexual and reproductive health in HIV-positive adolescents

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review aims to summarize data in the last 18 months on the sexual and reproductive health of perinatally and horizontally infected adolescents and young people living with HIV (age 13-25 years) and to highlight some key issues faced by this group of adolescents as they reach puberty and sexual debut.

RECENT FINDINGS

Adolescents and young people living with HIV are a growing cohort worldwide and a significant proportion engage in high-risk sexual activity, pose risk of onward HIV transmission, yet have poor access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and lack the knowledge and support to advocate for their needs.

SUMMARY

Providing adolescents living with HIV with access to SRH services is essential. Integrated HIV and SRH services and peer support models work well. HIV healthcare providers should educate all young people around disclosure, treatment as prevention and adherence, options for preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis and contraception, and support them to advocate for their own sexual health.