Sexuality of Young People Perinatally Infected with HIV

Abstract

In HIV/AIDS treatment, care and support programming, concern for the vulnerability of young people to HIV infection tends to overwhelm some of the more positive realities of sexuality, which is an equally important part of growing up.1-2 In Uganda and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, wide programmatic gaps exist in addressing sexual and reproductive health needs of young people perinatally infected with HIV who are now growing into adolescents and adults. The almost exclusive focus on the negative implications of HIV tends to hinder initiation of programmes aimed at addressing the sexual desires of young people living with HIV. This problem is compounded by the false assumption that young people (10-19 years) living with HIV in Africa may be too few to justify targeted programming and a reluctance to acknowledge that it is natural for them to have sexual needs and desires and to act upon them. Many young people living with HIV aspire to be just like their peers who are HIV negative. Therefore, it can only be anticipated that these young people as well desire to explore their sexuality and appreciate the opportunity to talk and ask questions about it.