Abstract: A high number of young people in South Africa are living with HIV, and many engage in unprotected sex, increasing their risk of acquiring other sexually transmitted infections and transmitting HIV. This study aimed to identify factors associated with condom use among sexually active adolescents and young adults living with HIV (AYLHIV) in South Africa. Important factors identified as unique to AYLHIV include: disclosure, HIV-related mistreatment and ART adherence. Disclosure to their sexual partner was associated with higher odds of condom use, whereas recent HIV-related mistreatment was associated with lower odds. Careful consideration of disclosure is needed as it may not always mitigate sexual risk-taking and could introduce other harms, including HIV-related mistreatment. Importantly, condom use was lower among those who were not ART adherent, increasing the possibility of onward transmission. The study highlights the critical implications for both individual health and epidemic control of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health interventions tailored for AYLHIV.

Citation: Thurman, T. R., Taylor, T. M., Luckett, B., Spyrelis, A., & Nice, J. (2023). Condom use correlates among youth living with HIV in South Africa: lessons for promoting safer sex. Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, 19(1), 211-222.