Nivedita L Bhushan1, Marie C D Stoner2, Allison K Groves3, Kathleen Kahn4, Audrey E Pettifor5. 1. Center for Communication Science, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Electronic address: nbhushan@rti.org. 2. Women's Global Health Imperative, RTI International, San Francisco, California. 3. Department of Community Health and Prevention, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 4. MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. 5. MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa; Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Abstract
PURPOSE: In South Africa, adolescent mothers have a three times higher risk of HIV acquisition than nonadolescent mothers. Yet, limited evidence exists regarding how early childbearing may affect HIV risk. A better understanding of adolescent mothers' partnership dynamics and sexual behaviors is critical to tailoring interventions to prevent new infections. METHODS: Data are from HIV Prevention Trials Network 068, a longitudinal study of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 13-20 in South Africa who were followed annually for up to 6 years. Log-binomial regression models were used to assess whether adolescent motherhood was associated with partnership dynamics (intimate partner violence, gender inequitable norms, low relationship power, no HIV prevention communication) and if the association between partnership dynamics and sexual behaviors (unprotected sex and transactional sex) varied by adolescent motherhood. Generalized estimating equations, with an exchangeable correlation structure, were used to account for nonindependence. RESULTS: Adolescent mothers were more likely than nonadolescent mothers to be in partnerships characterized by intimate partner violence, low relationship power, gender inequitable norms, and no HIV prevention communication. A higher proportion were also more likely to experience these dynamics, as well as engage in transactional sex, after giving birth. Poor partnership dynamics put AGYW at a higher risk for unprotected sex and transactional sex, regardless of adolescent motherhood status. DISCUSSION: Engaging adolescent mothers in interventions post birth and developing interventions that address power imbalances in AGYW's sexual partnerships have the potential to reduce engagement in HIV-related sexual behaviors and HIV risk in the long term.
PURPOSE: In South Africa, adolescent mothers have a three times higher risk of HIV acquisition than nonadolescent mothers. Yet, limited evidence exists regarding how early childbearing may affect HIV risk. A better understanding of adolescent mothers' partnership dynamics and sexual behaviors is critical to tailoring interventions to prevent new infections. METHODS: Data are from HIV Prevention Trials Network 068, a longitudinal study of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 13-20 in South Africa who were followed annually for up to 6 years. Log-binomial regression models were used to assess whether adolescent motherhood was associated with partnership dynamics (intimate partner violence, gender inequitable norms, low relationship power, no HIV prevention communication) and if the association between partnership dynamics and sexual behaviors (unprotected sex and transactional sex) varied by adolescent motherhood. Generalized estimating equations, with an exchangeable correlation structure, were used to account for nonindependence. RESULTS: Adolescent mothers were more likely than nonadolescent mothers to be in partnerships characterized by intimate partner violence, low relationship power, gender inequitable norms, and no HIV prevention communication. A higher proportion were also more likely to experience these dynamics, as well as engage in transactional sex, after giving birth. Poor partnership dynamics put AGYW at a higher risk for unprotected sex and transactional sex, regardless of adolescent motherhood status. DISCUSSION: Engaging adolescent mothers in interventions post birth and developing interventions that address power imbalances in AGYW's sexual partnerships have the potential to reduce engagement in HIV-related sexual behaviors and HIV risk in the long term.
Authors: Nora E Rosenberg; Lauren A Graybill; Austin Wesevich; Nuala McGrath; Carol E Golin; Suzanne Maman; Nivedita Bhushan; Mercy Tsidya; Limbikani Chimndozi; Irving F Hoffman; Mina C Hosseinipour; William C Miller Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2017-08-01 Impact factor: 3.731
Authors: Marie C D Stoner; Katherine B Rucinski; Jessie K Edwards; Amanda Selin; James P Hughes; Jing Wang; Yaw Agyei; F Xavier Gomez-Olive; Catherine MacPhail; Kathleen Kahn; Audrey Pettifor Journal: Health Educ Behav Date: 2019-02-28