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Session 132 Poster Abstracts
Adolescents and HIV
Thursday, 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Hall B


760    
Adolescents, Sexuality, and HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections in Rural Western Kenya
Pauli N Amornkul*1, H Vandenhoudt1, B Juma1, P Nasokho1, F Odhiambo1, D Mwaengo1, C Vitek2, A Misore3, L Slutsker1, and K De Cock3
1Kisumu, Kenya; 2Atlanta, GA, USA; and 3Nairobi, Kenya

Background:  Young women in Africa comprise a group with high HIV incidence. We present information on adolescents aged < 18 years from a cross-sectional survey of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and risk behavior in Asembo, a rural community in Western Kenya.

Methods:  From an existing demographic surveillance system, we took a random sample of Asembo residents aged 13 to 34. Consent was obtained from adults and mature minors (aged < 18 and married, pregnant, or already a parent). Non-mature minors had to assent and have parental consent to participate. Participants were interviewed on risk behavior and tested for pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Results:  From October 2003 until April 2004, 3959 people were randomly selected for study participation. Of the 1612 (41%) who were adolescents, 490 (30%) were away or ineligible. Of the 1112 eligible adolescents, 869 (78%) consented and enrolled (54% girls, 46% boys). Among girls, the median age of sexual debut was 14 years; 2% had ever been married. Reported variables by age and sex are in the table. HIV prevalence increased in girls from 3% at age 16 to 13% at age 17 years. 

 

 

Aged 13 to 14 years

Aged 15 to 17 years

All

 

Girls

Boys

Girls

Boys

Girls

Boys

 

n = 210

n = 177

n = 260

n = 222

n = 470

n = 399

History of sexual intercourse

47 (22%)

59 (33%)

125 (48%)

113 (51%)

172 (37%)

172 (43%)

Circumcised

—

19 (11%)

—

15 (7%)

—

34 (9%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sexually active

n = 47

n = 59

n = 125

n = 113

n = 172

n = 172

Ever treated for an STI

2 (4%)

1 (2%)

5 (4%)

3 (3%)

7 (4%)

4 (2%)

Ever pregnant

5 (11%)

—

34 (27%)

—

39 (23%)

—

Forced sex

7 (16%)

—

13 (11%)

—

20 (12%)

—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With specimens

n = 209

n = 174

n = 256

n = 220

n = 465

n = 394

HIV

1%

1%

6%

1%

4%

1%

HSV-2

10%

5%

20%

12%

15%

9%

Syphilis

0.5%

0%

2%

0%

1%

0%

 

Conclusions:  Our data imply high HIV incidence among 16- and 17-year-old girls in this area. There is a young age of reported sexual debut among teenage girls, and pregnancy was common. The rate of forced sex reported by female adolescents in this population is disturbing. Adolescents of both sexes comprise a critical group for HIV prevention efforts.

 

Keywords: HIV and STD epidemiology; Adolescent; Sexuality