A comparison of audio computer-assisted self-interviews to face-to-face interviews of sexual behavior among perinatally HIV-exposed youth.

Computer-assisted interview methods are increasingly popular in the assessment of sensitive behaviors (e.g., substance abuse and sexual behaviors).

Substance use and sexual risk behaviors in perinatally human immunodeficiency virus-exposed youth: roles of caregivers, peers and HIV status.

Purpose: To examine the association between sexual risk behaviors and substance use, as well as the impact of caregiver characteristics and perceived peer norms among perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected and perinatally HIV-infected youth.

Methods: Using baseline data from a multisite study of psychosocial behaviors in perinatally HIV-exposed urban youth (N = 340; 61% HIV+; 51% female; aged 9-16 years). We conducted interviews with youth-caregiver dyads.

Sexual and drug use behavior in perinatally HIV-infected youth: mental health and family influences.

Objective: As perinatally human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected (PHIV+) youths enter adolescence, they are at high risk for poor behavioral and health outcomes. This study examines relations between youth mental health problems and sexual and substance use risk behavior, the impact of caregiver mental health and family functioning on youth mental health and risk behavior outcomes, and the role of youth HIV status in this process.

Method: Participants were recruited from four medical centers.

The impact of perinatal HIV infection on older school-aged children's and adolescents' receptive language and word recognition skills.

Perinatally HIV-infected youths are reaching adolescence in large numbers. Little is known about their cognitive functioning. This study aims to describe and compare the receptive language ability, word recognition skills, and school functioning of older school-aged children and adolescents perinatally HIV infected (HIV-positive) and perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected (seroreverters; HIV-negative).

Brief report: language ability and school functioning of youth perinatally infected with HIV.

Introduction: The purpose of this article is to describe the language ability and school functioning of early adolescents with perinatal HIV/AIDS.

Method: Participants included 43 youths, 9-15 years, and their primary caregivers. Youths completed the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) and the Reading Subtest of the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT3) and were interviewed regarding their future educational aspirations and parental supervision and involvement with homework.

Rates and types of psychiatric disorders in perinatally human immunodeficiency virus-infected youth and seroreverters.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine 1) the prevalence of psychiatric and substance use disorders in perinatally HIV-infected (HIV+) adolescents and 2) the association between HIV infection and these mental health outcomes by comparing HIV+ youths to HIV exposed but uninfected youths (HIV-) from similar communities.

Methods: Data for this paper come from the baseline interview of a longitudinal study of mental health outcomes in 9-16 year old perinatally HIV-exposed youths (61% HIV+) and their caregivers. Three hundred forty youths and their primary adult caregivers were recruited from four medical centers and participated in separate individual interviews.

Mental health of early adolescents from high-risk neighborhoods: the role of maternal HIV and other contextual, self-regulation, and family factors.

Objectives: To examine the effect of maternal HIV infection, as well as other individual, family, and contextual factors on the mental health of inner-city, ethnic minority early adolescents.

Methods: Participants included 220 HIV-negative early adolescents (10-14 years) and their mothers, half of whom were HIV-infected. Individual interviews were conducted regarding youth depression, anxiety, externalizing and internalizing behaviour problems, as well as a range of correlates of youth mental health guided by a modified version of Social Action Theory, a theoretical model of behavioral health.

Perceptions of adolescents' sexual behavior among mothers living with and without HIV: does dyadic sex communication matter?

Previous studies suggest that mothers can help adolescents make responsible sexual decisions by talking with them about sexual health. Yet, it is not clear how and when mothers make decisions about talking with their adolescents about sex. We sought to determine: (1) the accuracy of mothers' and adolescents' predictions of adolescents' age of sexual debut; and (2) if mothers' beliefs about their adolescents' sexual behavior affected the frequency of mother-adolescent communication about sexual topics and, in turn, if mother-adolescent communication about sexual topics affected mothers' accuracy in predicting adolescents' current and future sexual behavior.

Predicting the Onset of Sexual and Drug Risk Behaviors in HIV-Negative Youths with HIV-Positive Mothers: The Role of Contextual, Self-Regulation, and Social-Interaction Factors.

HIV-negative, inner-city adolescents with HIV-infected parents are considered to be at high risk for acquiring HIV themselves. Using a modified theory of health behavior, this study examined the effects of maternal HIV infection and psychosocial variables on the onset of sexual and drug risk behavior in 144 HIV-negative adolescents with and without HIV-positive mothers. Adolescents and their mothers were interviewed when the youths were 10-14 years old and again when they were 13-19 years old.

Adapting a Family-Based HIV Prevention Program for HIV-Infected Preadolescents and Their Families: Youth, Families and Health Care Providers Coming Together to Address Complex Needs.

This article describes a family-based HIV prevention and mental health promotion program specifically designed to meet the needs of perinatally-infected preadolescents and their families. This project represents one of the first attempts to involve perinatally HIV-infected youth in HIV prevention efforts while simultaneously addressing their mental health and health care needs. The program, entitled CHAMP+ (Collaborative HIV Prevention and Adolescent Mental Health Project-Plus), focuses on: (1) the impact of HIV on the family; (2) loss and stigma associated with HIV disease; (3) HIV knowledge and understanding of health and medication protocols; (4) family communication about puberty, sexuality and HIV; (5) social support and decision making related to disclosure; and (6) parental supervision and monitoring related to sexual possibility situations, sexual risk taking behavior and management of youth health and medication.

Psychiatric disorders in youth with perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Background: Clinical reports from the United States indicate substantive mental health problems in perinatally human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected youth that pose substantial barriers to optimizing their health. This pilot study explores rates and types of psychiatric and substance use disorders, as well as emotional and behavioral functioning in perinatally HIV-infected children and adolescents.

Methods: Forty-seven perinatally-infected youths (9-16 years of age) and their primary caregivers recruited from a pediatric HIV clinic were interviewed using standardized assessments of youth psychiatric disorders and emotional and behavioral functioning, as well as measures of health and caregiver mental health.

HIV treatment-related knowledge and self-efficacy among caregivers of HIV-infected children.

Objective: Improvements in treatment-related knowledge and self-efficacy may improve clinical outcomes in HIV-infected populations. We examined whether caregivers' knowledge and self-efficacy was associated with better clinical outcomes and anti-retroviral therapy (ART) adherence among HIV-infected children.

Methods: Caregivers of 77 perinatally HIV-infected children were administered a semi-structured interview which included scales of HIV treatment-related knowledge, adherence self-efficacy and caregiver reports of child medication adherence.

Behavioral risk in early adolescents with HIV+ mothers.

Purpose: To examine the effect of maternal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on sexual and drug use risk behavior, delinquency, and general behavior problems in early adolescents.

Methods: Baseline data from an ongoing longitudinal study are presented. Participants are 220 HIV-negative early adolescents (aged 10-14 years), 100 with HIV-infected mothers, and 120 with uninfected mothers from ethnic minority, low income, families living in inner-city communities.

The role of psychosocial and family factors in adherence to antiretroviral treatment in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children.

Background: The toxicity and complexity of antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens are substantial challenges in the context of patients' lives. This study examines child psychosocial and caregiver/family factors influencing adherence to ART in perinatally human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children.

Methods: Seventy-five children (ages 3-13 years) prescribed ART, and their primary caregivers were recruited from 2 urban pediatric HIV programs.

Pediatric HIV medication adherence: the views of medical providers from two primary care programs.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine medical providers' views from two primary care programs regarding adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected children.

Method: Ten medical providers (five physicians and five registered nurses) working with perinatally HIV-infected children completed a structured questionnaire examining provider-patient/family relationship and participated in an individual qualitative interview regarding providers' views on pediatric adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

Results: Providers believed that the limited treatment options currently available to HIV-infected children presented families with tremendous challenges to adherence.

The reliability of reports of medical adherence from children with HIV and their adult caregivers.

Objective: To compare children's reports of their medication adherence to those of their adult caregivers.

Method: Several indicators of medication adherence were assessed for 48 adult-child dyads. Kappa statistics were calculated as measures of agreement.