Risks and protective behaviors of adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in Botswana.

HIV and AIDS are a major problem in Botswana. Studies have revealed that they have mostly affected young people, most of whom will have been infected with HIV during their teenage years. The prevalence among young people aged 15-24 is 16.9% and 6.6% among adolescents aged 15-19 years. It is therefore crucial to examine perceived contextual factors that influence adolescents living with HIV and AIDS, the risks that they encounter, and the behaviors that they use to reduce such risks. A qualitative exploratory descriptive design will be used to describe the HIV and AIDS knowledge risk and protective factors in general and sexual factors in particular of adolescents living with HIV and AIDS. Focus group discussions and individual in-depth interviews will be conducted among female and male adolescents aged 13 to 19 years. Content analysis will be utilized.