George C, Alary M, Otis J; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. ThPeE7787.

Universite Laval, Quebec, Canada

BACKGROUND: As the prevalence of HIV is increasing among young Caribbean women, it is imperative to find out their sexual practices and what sexual behaviour they valorize in order to design or manage risk reduction programs, and to study high-risk behaviours for long-term HIV prevention. METHODS: A qualitative question was added to a cross-sectional quantitative survey done at five high schools in Dominica, in November 2000. Participants were asked to write comments on issues relating to sexual relationship, sexuality or to comment on sexual behaviour. Only 2 boys(n=38) and 43% (n=87/204) of the girls responded to this section. The analysis focuses on the information that these girls provided. RESULTS: Sexual coercion by boys was predominant. A majority also experienced pressure from other girls to conform to the norm of sexual behaviour. Physical and psychological abuses were important followed by relationships of trust and boyfriends polygamy. This theme was reflected in the quantitative analysis where 23% of all girls reported that they were coerced and 38% reported unwanted sexual touching. 51% (38/74) of the sexually active group had >/=2 and 14% >/= 6 sexual partners. Girls needed information on alternative forms of non-coital relations, oral sex, modes of STI/HIV transmission - one asked, "Can I catch an STI if I sex in the sea?" There was a general morality disapproval of sexual practices outside of marriage and condom use, although many of these girls were themselves sexually active (53% in this analysis and 40% of all girls in entire survey). CONCLUSION: Communication is often lacking between girls, their partners and advisers. Sexual counselling and empowerment issues need focusing on to help them negotiate sexual safety. A preventive strategy on HIV should concern parents and include as a social indicator, sexual pressure, machismo, multiple partnerships and construction of identity at adolescence.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Adolescent
• Caribbean Region
• Coitus
• Communication
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Data Collection
• Demography
• Dominica
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Humans
• Male
• Oceans and Seas
• Prevalence
• Safe Sex
• Schools
• Sexual Behavior
• Sexuality
• West Indies

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0016116

UI: 102253614

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