Young, seropositive, and pregnant: epidemiologic and psychosocial perspectives on pregnant adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2007 Sep;197(3 Suppl):S123-31. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2007.03.004.

Abstract

The objective of the study was to characterize human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive pregnant adolescents according to maternal reproductive, behavioral, and psychosocial characteristics. Data were derived from the national HIV/AIDS Reporting System (HARS, 2001-2004) and the Perinatal Guidelines Evaluation Project (PGEP, 1997-1999). Births to HIV-seropositive 13- to 21-year-olds reported to HARS via pediatric case report forms, and HIV-seropositive pregnant adolescents (aged 13- 21 years) who participated in PGEP were identified and characterized. In the 28 states with confidential, name-based perinatal HIV exposure reporting, 1183 live births occurred to 1090 seropositive adolescents. Fifteen births were to perinatally HIV-infected adolescents. HIV serostatus was known before the index pregnancy in half the cases (52.6% and 49.2% in HARS and PGEP, respectively). Of seropositive PGEP adolescents, 67% were previously pregnant; most pregnancies (83.3%) were unplanned. Many HIV-seropositive pregnant adolescents were aware of their serostatus when they became pregnant. Pregnancy and transmission risk reduction interventions targeting young seropositive females are needed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • HIV Seropositivity / epidemiology*
  • HIV Seropositivity / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Parity
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / epidemiology*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / psychology*
  • Pregnancy, Unplanned
  • Psychology*
  • Risk-Taking*